Abstract: This paper proposes a system to extract images from web pages and then detect the skin color regions of these images. As part of the proposed system, using BandObject control, we built a Tool bar named 'Filter Tool Bar (FTB)' by modifying the Pavel Zolnikov implementation. The Yahoo! Team provides us with the Yahoo! SDK API, which also supports image search and is really useful. In the proposed system, we introduced three new methods for extracting images from the web pages (after loading the web page by using the proposed FTB, before loading the web page physically from the localhost, and before loading the web page from any server). These methods overcome the drawback of the regular expressions method for extracting images suggested by Ilan Assayag. The second part of the proposed system is concerned with the detection of the skin color regions of the extracted images. So, we studied two famous skin color detection techniques. The first technique is based on the RGB color space and the second technique is based on YUV and YIQ color spaces. We modified the second technique to overcome the failure of detecting complex image's background by using the saturation parameter to obtain an accurate skin detection results. The performance evaluation of the efficiency of the proposed system in extracting images before and after loading the web page from localhost or any server in terms of the number of extracted images is presented. Finally, the results of comparing the two skin detection techniques in terms of the number of pixels detected are presented.
Abstract: In this paper a Public Key Cryptosystem is proposed
using the number theoretic transforms (NTT) over a ring of integer
modulo a composite number. The key agreement is similar to
ElGamal public key algorithm. The security of the system is based on
solution of multivariate linear congruence equations and discrete
logarithm problem. In the proposed cryptosystem only fixed numbers
of multiplications are carried out (constant complexity) and hence the
encryption and decryption can be done easily. At the same time, it is
very difficult to attack the cryptosystem, since the cipher text is a
sequence of integers which are interrelated. The system provides
authentication also. Using Mathematica version 5.0 the proposed
algorithm is justified with a numerical example.
Abstract: Speech enhancement is the process of eliminating
noise and increasing the quality of a speech signal, which is
contaminated with other kinds of distortions. This paper is on
developing an optimum cascaded system for speech enhancement.
This aim is attained without diminishing any relevant speech
information and without much computational and time complexity.
LMS algorithm, Spectral Subtraction and Kalman filter have been
deployed as the main de-noising algorithms in this work. Since these
algorithms suffer from respective shortcomings, this work has been
undertaken to design cascaded systems in different combinations and
the evaluation of such cascades by qualitative (listening) and
quantitative (SNR) tests.
Abstract: We consider power system expansion planning under
uncertainty. In our approach, integer programming and stochastic
programming provide a basic framework. We develop a multistage
stochastic programming model in which some of the variables are
restricted to integer values. By utilizing the special property of the
problem, called block separable recourse, the problem is transformed
into a two-stage stochastic program with recourse. The electric power
capacity expansion problem is reformulated as the problem with first
stage integer variables and continuous second stage variables. The
L-shaped algorithm to solve the problem is proposed.
Abstract: An important technique in stability theory for
differential equations is known as the direct method of Lyapunov. In
this work we deal global stability properties of Leptospirosis
transmission model by age group in Thailand. First we consider the
data from Division of Epidemiology Ministry of Public Health,
Thailand between 1997-2011. Then we construct the mathematical
model for leptospirosis transmission by eight age groups. The
Lyapunov functions are used for our model which takes the forms of
an Ordinary Differential Equation system. The globally
asymptotically for equilibrium states are analyzed.
Abstract: Recognition of Indian languages scripts is challenging problems. In Optical Character Recognition [OCR], a character or symbol to be recognized can be machine printed or handwritten characters/numerals. There are several approaches that deal with problem of recognition of numerals/character depending on the type of feature extracted and different way of extracting them. This paper proposes a recognition scheme for handwritten Hindi (devnagiri) numerals; most admired one in Indian subcontinent. Our work focused on a technique in feature extraction i.e. global based approach using end-points information, which is extracted from images of isolated numerals. These feature vectors are fed to neuro-memetic model [18] that has been trained to recognize a Hindi numeral. The archetype of system has been tested on varieties of image of numerals. . In proposed scheme data sets are fed to neuro-memetic algorithm, which identifies the rule with highest fitness value of nearly 100 % & template associates with this rule is nothing but identified numerals. Experimentation result shows that recognition rate is 92-97 % compared to other models.
Abstract: Most of the Question Answering systems
composed of three main modules: question processing,
document processing and answer processing. Question
processing module plays an important role in QA systems. If
this module doesn't work properly, it will make problems for
other sections. Moreover answer processing module is an
emerging topic in Question Answering, where these systems
are often required to rank and validate candidate answers.
These techniques aiming at finding short and precise answers
are often based on the semantic classification.
This paper discussed about a new model for question
answering which improved two main modules, question
processing and answer processing.
There are two important components which are the bases
of the question processing. First component is question
classification that specifies types of question and answer.
Second one is reformulation which converts the user's
question into an understandable question by QA system in a
specific domain. Answer processing module, consists of
candidate answer filtering, candidate answer ordering
components and also it has a validation section for interacting
with user. This module makes it more suitable to find exact
answer. In this paper we have described question and answer
processing modules with modeling, implementing and
evaluating the system. System implemented in two versions.
Results show that 'Version No.1' gave correct answer to 70%
of questions (30 correct answers to 50 asked questions) and
'version No.2' gave correct answers to 94% of questions (47
correct answers to 50 asked questions).
Abstract: Due to the tremendous amount of information provided
by the World Wide Web (WWW) developing methods for mining
the structure of web-based documents is of considerable interest. In
this paper we present a similarity measure for graphs representing
web-based hypertext structures. Our similarity measure is mainly
based on a novel representation of a graph as linear integer strings,
whose components represent structural properties of the graph. The
similarity of two graphs is then defined as the optimal alignment of
the underlying property strings. In this paper we apply the well known
technique of sequence alignments for solving a novel and challenging
problem: Measuring the structural similarity of generalized trees.
In other words: We first transform our graphs considered as high
dimensional objects in linear structures. Then we derive similarity
values from the alignments of the property strings in order to
measure the structural similarity of generalized trees. Hence, we
transform a graph similarity problem to a string similarity problem for
developing a efficient graph similarity measure. We demonstrate that
our similarity measure captures important structural information by
applying it to two different test sets consisting of graphs representing
web-based document structures.
Abstract: Analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) has become a
popular non-invasive tool for assessing the activities of autonomic
nervous system. Most of the methods were hired from techniques
used for time series analysis. Currently used methods are time
domain, frequency domain, geometrical and fractal methods. A new
technique, which searches for pattern repeatability in a time series, is
proposed for quantifying heart rate (HR) time series. These set of
indices, which are termed as pattern repeatability measure and
pattern repeatability ratio are able to distinguish HR data clearly
from noise and electroencephalogram (EEG). The results of analysis
using these measures give an insight into the fundamental difference
between the composition of HR time series with respect to EEG and
noise.
Abstract: Calcite aCalcite and aragonite are the two common
polymorphs of CaCO3 observed as biominerals. It is universal that
the sea water contents a high Mg2+ (50mM) relative to Ca2+ (10mM).
In vivo crystallization, Mg2+ inhibits calcite formation. For this
reason, stony corals skeleton may be formed only aragonite crystals
in the biocalcification. It is special in case of soft corals of which
formed only calcite crystal; however, this interesting phenomenon,
still uncharacterized in the marine environment, has been explored in
this study using newly purified cell-free proteins isolated from the
endoskeletal sclerites of soft coral. By recording the decline of pH in
vitro, the control of CaCO3 nucleation and crystal growth by the cellfree
proteins was revealed. Using Atomic Force Microscope, here we
find that these endoskeletal cell-free proteins significantly design the
morphological shape in the molecular-scale kinetics of crystal
formation and those proteins act as surfactants to promote ion
attachment at calcite steps.nd aragonite are the two common polymorphs of CaCO3 observed as biominerals. It is universal that the sea water contents a high Mg2+ (50mM) relative to Ca2+ (10mM). In vivo crystallization, Mg2+ inhibits calcite formation. For this reason, stony corals skeleton may be formed only aragonite crystals in the biocalcification. It is special in case of soft corals of which formed only calcite crystal; however, this interesting phenomenon, still uncharacterized in the marine environment, has been explored in this study using newly purified cell-free proteins isolated from the endoskeletal sclerites of soft coral. By recording the decline of pH in vitro, the control of CaCO3 nucleation and crystal growth by the cell-free proteins was revealed. Using Atomic Force Microscope, here we find that these endoskeletal cell-free proteins significantly design the morphological shape in the molecular-scale kinetics of crystal formation and those proteins act as surfactants to promote ion attachment at calcite steps. KeywordsBiomineralization, Calcite, Cell-free protein, Soft coral
Abstract: International trade involves both large and small firms
engaged in business overseas. Possible drivers that force companies
to enter international markets include increasing competition at the
domestic market, maturing domestic markets, and limited domestic
market opportunities. Technology is an important driving factor in
shaping international marketing strategy as well as in driving force
towards a more global marketplace, especially technology in
communication. It includes telephones, the internet, computer
systems and e-mail. There are three main marketing strategy choices,
namely standardization approach, adaptation approach and middleof-
the-road approach that companies implement to overseas markets.
The decision depends on situations and factors facing the companies
in the international markets. In this paper, the contingency concept is
considered that no single strategy can be effective in all contexts.
The effect of strategy on performance depends on specific situational
variables. Strategic fit is employed to investigate export marketing
strategy adaptation under certain environmental conditions, which in
turn can lead to superior performance.
Abstract: In this article, the flow behavior around a NACA 0012 airfoil which is oscillating with different Reynolds numbers and in various amplitudes has been investigated numerically. Numerical simulations have been performed with ANSYS software. First, the 2- D geometry has been studied in different Reynolds numbers and angles of attack with various numerical methods in its static condition. This analysis was to choose the best turbulent model and comparing the grids to have the optimum one for dynamic simulations. Because the analysis was to study the blades of wind turbines, the Reynolds numbers were not arbitrary. They were in the range of 9.71e5 to 22.65e5. The angle of attack was in the range of -41.81° to 41.81°. By choosing the forward wind speed as the independent parameter, the others like Reynolds and the amplitude of the oscillation would be known automatically. The results show that the SST turbulent model is the best choice that leads the least numerical error with respect the experimental ones. Also, a dynamic stall phenomenon is more probable at lower wind speeds in which the lift force is less.
Abstract: Due to environmental concerns, the recent regulation on automobile fuel economy has been strengthened. The market demand for efficient vehicles is growing and automakers to improve engine fuel efficiency in the industry have been paying a lot of effort. To improve the fuel efficiency, it is necessary to reduce losses or to improve combustion efficiency of the engine. VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) technology enhances the engine's intake air flow, reduce pumping losses and mechanical friction losses. And also, VVA technology is the engine's low speed and high speed operation to implement each of appropriate valve lift. It improves the performance of engine in the entire operating range. This paper presents a design procedure of DC motor and drive for VVA system and shows the validity of the design result by experimental result with prototype.
Abstract: the data of Taiwanese 8th grader in the 4th cycle of
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) are
analyzed to examine the influence of the science teachers- preference
in experimental teaching on the relationships between the affective
variables ( the perceived usefulness of science, ease of using science
and science learning interest) and the academic achievement in science.
After dealing with the missing data, 3711 students and 145 science
teacher-s data were analyzed through a Hierarchical Linear Modeling
technique. The major objective of this study was to determine the role
of the experimental teaching moderates the relationship between
perceived usefulness and achievement.
Abstract: The importance of supply chain and logistics
management has been widely recognised. Effective management of
the supply chain can reduce costs and lead times and improve
responsiveness to changing customer demands. This paper proposes a
multi-matrix real-coded Generic Algorithm (MRGA) based
optimisation tool that minimises total costs associated within supply
chain logistics. According to finite capacity constraints of all parties
within the chain, Genetic Algorithm (GA) often produces infeasible
chromosomes during initialisation and evolution processes. In the
proposed algorithm, chromosome initialisation procedure, crossover
and mutation operations that always guarantee feasible solutions
were embedded. The proposed algorithm was tested using three sizes
of benchmarking dataset of logistic chain network, which are typical
of those faced by most global manufacturing companies. A half
fractional factorial design was carried out to investigate the influence
of alternative crossover and mutation operators by varying GA
parameters. The analysis of experimental results suggested that the
quality of solutions obtained is sensitive to the ways in which the
genetic parameters and operators are set.
Abstract: The paper describes a knowledge based system for
analysis of microscopic wear particles. Wear particles contained in
lubricating oil carry important information concerning machine
condition, in particular the state of wear. Experts (Tribologists) in the
field extract this information to monitor the operation of the machine
and ensure safety, efficiency, quality, productivity, and economy of
operation. This procedure is not always objective and it can also be
expensive. The aim is to classify these particles according to their
morphological attributes of size, shape, edge detail, thickness ratio,
color, and texture, and by using this classification thereby predict
wear failure modes in engines and other machinery. The attribute
knowledge links human expertise to the devised Knowledge Based
Wear Particle Analysis System (KBWPAS). The system provides an
automated and systematic approach to wear particle identification
which is linked directly to wear processes and modes that occur in
machinery. This brings consistency in wear judgment prediction
which leads to standardization and also less dependence on
Tribologists.
Abstract: This paper presents the novel Rao-Blackwellised
particle filter (RBPF) for mobile robot simultaneous localization and
mapping (SLAM) using monocular vision. The particle filter is
combined with unscented Kalman filter (UKF) to extending the path
posterior by sampling new poses that integrate the current observation
which drastically reduces the uncertainty about the robot pose. The
landmark position estimation and update is also implemented through
UKF. Furthermore, the number of resampling steps is determined
adaptively, which seriously reduces the particle depletion problem,
and introducing the evolution strategies (ES) for avoiding particle
impoverishment. The 3D natural point landmarks are structured with
matching Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) feature pairs. The
matching for multi-dimension SIFT features is implemented with a
KD-Tree in the time cost of O(log2
N). Experiment results on real robot
in our indoor environment show the advantages of our methods over
previous approaches.
Abstract: Deep Brain Stimulation or DBS is a surgical treatment for Parkinson-s Disease with three stimulation parameters: frequency, pulse width, and voltage. The parameters should be selected appropriately to achieve effective treatment. This selection now, performs clinically. The aim of this research is to study chaotic behavior of recorded tremor of patients under DBS in order to present a computational method to recognize stimulation optimum voltage. We obtained some chaotic features of tremor signal, and discovered embedding space of it has an attractor, and its largest Lyapunov exponent is positive, which show tremor signal has chaotic behavior, also we found out, in optimal voltage, entropy and embedding space variance of tremor signal have minimum values in comparison with other voltages. These differences can help neurologists recognize optimal voltage numerically, which leads to reduce patients' role and discomfort in optimizing stimulation parameters and to do treatment with high accuracy.
Abstract: In neural networks, when new patterns are learned by a network, the new information radically interferes with previously stored patterns. This drawback is called catastrophic forgetting or catastrophic interference. In this paper, we propose a biologically inspired neural network model which overcomes this problem. The proposed model consists of two distinct networks: one is a Hopfield type of chaotic associative memory and the other is a multilayer neural network. We consider that these networks correspond to the hippocampus and the neocortex of the brain, respectively. Information given is firstly stored in the hippocampal network with fast learning algorithm. Then the stored information is recalled by chaotic behavior of each neuron in the hippocampal network. Finally, it is consolidated in the neocortical network by using pseudopatterns. Computer simulation results show that the proposed model has much better ability to avoid catastrophic forgetting in comparison with conventional models.
Abstract: A SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data
Acquisition) system is an industrial control and monitoring system for
national infrastructures. The SCADA systems were used in a closed
environment without considering about security functionality in the
past. As communication technology develops, they try to connect the
SCADA systems to an open network. Therefore, the security of the
SCADA systems has been an issue. The study of key management for
SCADA system also has been performed. However, existing key
management schemes for SCADA system such as SKE(Key
establishment for SCADA systems) and SKMA(Key management
scheme for SCADA systems) cannot support broadcasting
communication. To solve this problem, an Advanced Key
Management Architecture for Secure SCADA Communication has
been proposed by Choi et al.. Choi et al.-s scheme also has a problem
that it requires lots of computational cost for multicasting
communication. In this paper, we propose an enhanced scheme which
improving computational cost for multicasting communication with
considering the number of keys to be stored in a low power
communication device (RTU).