Abstract: The effect of additional magnesium oxide (MgO) was
investigated by using the tungsten oxide supported on silica catalyst
(WOx/SiO2) physically mixed with MgO in a weight ratio 1:1. The
both fresh and spent catalysts were characterized by FT-Raman
spectrometer, UV-Vis spectrometer, X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and
temperature programmed oxidation (TPO). The results indicated that
the additional MgO could enhance the conversion of trans-2-butene
due to isomerization reaction. However, adding MgO would increase
the amount of coke deposit on the WOx/SiO2 catalyst. The TPO
profile presented two peaks when the WOx/SiO2 catalyst was
physically mixed with MgO. The further peak was suggested that
came from coke precursor could be produced by isomerization
reaction of undesired product. Then, the occurred coke precursor
could deposit and form coke on the acid catalyst.
Abstract: With the growing of computer and network, digital
data can be spread to anywhere in the world quickly. In addition,
digital data can also be copied or tampered easily so that the security
issue becomes an important topic in the protection of digital data.
Digital watermark is a method to protect the ownership of digital data.
Embedding the watermark will influence the quality certainly. In this
paper, Vector Quantization (VQ) is used to embed the watermark into
the image to fulfill the goal of data hiding. This kind of watermarking
is invisible which means that the users will not conscious the existing
of embedded watermark even though the embedded image has tiny
difference compared to the original image. Meanwhile, VQ needs a lot
of computation burden so that we adopt a fast VQ encoding scheme by
partial distortion searching (PDS) and mean approximation scheme to
speed up the data hiding process.
The watermarks we hide to the image could be gray, bi-level and
color images. Texts are also can be regarded as watermark to embed.
In order to test the robustness of the system, we adopt Photoshop to
fulfill sharpen, cropping and altering to check if the extracted
watermark is still recognizable. Experimental results demonstrate that
the proposed system can resist the above three kinds of tampering in
general cases.
Abstract: Micro-electromechanical system (MEMS)
accelerometers and gyroscopes are suitable for the inertial navigation
system (INS) of many applications due to low price, small
dimensions and light weight. The main disadvantage in a comparison
with classic sensors is a worse long term stability. The estimation
accuracy is mostly affected by the time-dependent growth of inertial
sensor errors, especially the stochastic errors. In order to eliminate
negative effects of these random errors, they must be accurately
modeled. In this paper, the Allan variance technique will be used in
modeling the stochastic errors of the inertial sensors. By performing
a simple operation on the entire length of data, a characteristic curve
is obtained whose inspection provides a systematic characterization
of various random errors contained in the inertial-sensor output data.
Abstract: OPEN_EmoRec_II is an open multimodal corpus with
experimentally induced emotions. In the first half of the experiment,
emotions were induced with standardized picture material and in the
second half during a human-computer interaction (HCI), realized
with a wizard-of-oz design. The induced emotions are based on the
dimensional theory of emotions (valence, arousal and dominance).
These emotional sequences - recorded with multimodal data (facial
reactions, speech, audio and physiological reactions) during a
naturalistic-like HCI-environment one can improve classification
methods on a multimodal level.
This database is the result of an HCI-experiment, for which 30
subjects in total agreed to a publication of their data including the
video material for research purposes*. The now available open
corpus contains sensory signal of: video, audio, physiology (SCL,
respiration, BVP, EMG Corrugator supercilii, EMG Zygomaticus
Major) and facial reactions annotations.
Abstract: OPEN_EmoRec_II is an open multimodal corpus with
experimentally induced emotions. In the first half of the experiment,
emotions were induced with standardized picture material and in the
second half during a human-computer interaction (HCI), realized
with a wizard-of-oz design. The induced emotions are based on the
dimensional theory of emotions (valence, arousal and dominance).
These emotional sequences - recorded with multimodal data (facial
reactions, speech, audio and physiological reactions) during a
naturalistic-like HCI-environment one can improve classification
methods on a multimodal level.
This database is the result of an HCI-experiment, for which 30
subjects in total agreed to a publication of their data including the
video material for research purposes*. The now available open
corpus contains sensory signal of: video, audio, physiology (SCL,
respiration, BVP, EMG Corrugator supercilii, EMG Zygomaticus
Major) and facial reactions annotations.
Abstract: Heat transfer of leaves is a crucial factor in optimal
operation of metabolic functions in plants. In order to quantify this
phenomenon in different leaves and investigate the influence of leaf
shape on heat transfer, natural convection for pine, orange and olive
leaves was simulated as representatives of different groups of leaf
shapes. CFD techniques were used in this simulation with the
purpose to calculate heat transfer of leaves in similar environmental
conditions. The problem was simulated for steady state and threedimensional
conditions. From obtained results, it was concluded that
heat fluxes of all three different leaves are almost identical, however,
total rate of heat transfer have highest and lowest values for orange
leaves, and pine leaves, respectively.
Abstract: This work assesses the cortical and the sub-cortical
neural activity recorded from rodents using entropy and mutual
information based approaches to study how hypothermia affects neural
activity. By applying the multi-scale entropy and Shannon entropy, we
quantify the degree of the regularity embedded in the cortical and
sub-cortical neurons and characterize the dependency of entropy of
these regions on temperature. We study also the degree of the mutual
information on thalamocortical pathway depending on temperature.
The latter is most likely an indicator of coupling between these highly
connected structures in response to temperature manipulation leading
to arousal after global cerebral ischemia.
Abstract: Pt/γ-Al2O3 membrane catalysts were prepared via an
evaporative-crystallization deposition method. The obtained Pt/γ-
Al2O3 catalyst activity was tested after characterization (SEM-EDAX
observation, BET measurement, permeability assessment) in the
catalytic oxidation of selected volatile organic compound (VOC) i.e.
propane, fed in mixture of oxygen. The VOC conversion (nearly
90%) obtained by varying the operating temperature showed that
flow-through membrane reactor might do better in the abatement of
VOCs.
Abstract: One of the key aspects of power quality improvement
in power system is the mitigation of voltage sags/swells and flicker.
Custom power devices have been known as the best tools for voltage
disturbances mitigation as well as reactive power compensation.
Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) which is the most efficient and
effective modern custom power device can provide the most
commercial solution to solve several problems of power quality in
distribution networks. This paper deals with analysis and simulation
technique of DVR based on instantaneous power theory which is a
quick control to detect signals. The main purpose of this work is to
remove three important disturbances including voltage sags/swells
and flicker. Simulation of the proposed method was carried out on
two sample systems by using Matlab software environment and the
results of simulation show that the proposed method is able to
provide desirable power quality in the presence of wide range of
disturbances.
Abstract: This paper analyzes the conceptual framework of three
statistical methods, multiple regression, path analysis, and structural
equation models. When establishing research model of the statistical
modeling of complex social phenomenon, it is important to know the
strengths and limitations of three statistical models. This study
explored the character, strength, and limitation of each modeling and
suggested some strategies for accurate explaining or predicting the
causal relationships among variables. Especially, on the studying of
depression or mental health, the common mistakes of research
modeling were discussed.
Abstract: An unconventional composite inorganic ceramic
membrane capable of enhancing carbon dioxide emission decline was
fabricated and tested at laboratory scale in conformism to various
environmental guidelines and also to mitigate the effect of global
warming. A review of the existing membrane technologies for carbon
capture including the relevant gas transport mechanisms is presented.
Single gas permeation experiments using silica modified ceramic
membrane with internal diameter 20mm, outside diameter 25mm and
length of 368mm deposited on a macro porous support was carried
out to investigate individual gas permeation behaviours at different
pressures at room temperature. Membrane fabrication was achieved
using after a dip coating method. Nitrogen, Carbon dioxide, Argon,
Oxygen and Methane pure gases were used to investigate their
individual permeation rates at various pressures. Results show that
the gas flow rate increases with pressure drop. However above a
pressure of 3bar, CO2 permeability ratio to that of the other gases
indicated control of a more selective surface adsorptive transport
mechanism.
Abstract: Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) pericarp is
considered as agricultural waste and not fully utilized in food
products. It is widely reported that mangosteen pericarp contains high
antioxidant properties. The objective of this study is to develop novel
yellow alkaline noodle (YAN) substituted with different levels of
mangosteen pericarp powder (MPP). YAN formulation was
substituted with different levels of MPP (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%).
The effect on nutritional and antioxidant properties was evaluated.
Higher substitution levels of MPP resulted in significant increase
(p
Abstract: In order to avoid self-collision of space manipulators
during operation process, a real-time detection method is proposed in
this paper. The manipulator is fitted into a cylinder-enveloping
surface, and then, a kind of detection algorithm of collision between
cylinders is analyzed. The collision model of space manipulator
self-links can be detected by using this algorithm in real-time detection
during the operation process. To ensure security of the operation, a
safety threshold is designed. The simulation and experiment results
verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm for a 7-DOF space
manipulator.
Abstract: Design concepts of real-time embedded system can be
realized initially by introducing novel design approaches. In this
literature, model based design approach and in-the-loop testing were
employed early in the conceptual and preliminary phase to formulate
design requirements and perform quick real-time verification. The
design and analysis methodology includes simulation analysis, model
based testing, and in-the-loop testing. The design of conceptual driveby-
wire, or DBW, algorithm for electronic control unit, or ECU, was
presented to demonstrate the conceptual design process, analysis, and
functionality evaluation. The concepts of DBW ECU function can be
implemented in the vehicle system to improve electric vehicle, or EV,
conversion drivability. However, within a new development process,
conceptual ECU functions and parameters are needed to be evaluated.
As a result, the testing system was employed to support conceptual
DBW ECU functions evaluation. For the current setup, the system
components were consisted of actual DBW ECU hardware, electric
vehicle models, and control area network or CAN protocol. The
vehicle models and CAN bus interface were both implemented as
real-time applications where ECU and CAN protocol functionality
were verified according to the design requirements. The proposed
system could potentially benefit in performing rapid real-time
analysis of design parameters for conceptual system or software
algorithm development.
Abstract: The aim of this research is to identify the key factors in shipping company’s port selection in order to providing their requirement. To identify and rank factors that play the main role in selecting port for providing the ship requirement, at the first step, data were collected via Semi-structured interviews, the aim was to generate knowledge on how shipping company select the port and suppliers for providing their needs. 37 port selection factors were chosen from the previous researches and field interviews and have been categorized into two groups of port's factor and the factors of services of suppliers companies. The current study adopts a questionnaire survey to the main shipping companies' operators in Iran. Their responses reveal that level of services of supplying companies and customs rules play the important role in selecting the ports. Our findings could affect decisions made by port authorities to consider that supporting the privet sections for ship chandelling business could have the best result in attracting ships.
Abstract: In this research numerical simulations are performed,
using the multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method, in the
range 3 ≤ β = w[d] ≤ 30 at Re = 100, 200 and 300, where β the
blockage ratio, w is the equispaced distance between centers of
cylinders, d is the diameter of the cylinder and Re is the Reynolds
number, respectively. Special attention is paid to the effect of the
equispaced distance between centers of cylinders. Visualization of
the vorticity contour visualization are presented for some simulation
showing the flow dynamics and patterns for blockage effect. Results
show that the drag and mean drag coefficients, and Strouhal number,
in general, decrease with the increase of β for fixed Re. It is found
that the decreasing rate of drag and mean drag coefficients and
Strouhal number is more distinct in the range 3 ≤ β ≤ 15. We found
that when β > 15, the blockage effect almost diminishes. Our results
further indicate that the drag and mean drag coefficients, peak value
of the lift coefficient, root-mean-square value of the lift and drag
coefficients and the ratio between lift and drag coefficients decrease
with the increase of Re. The results indicate that symmetry boundary
condition have more blockage effect as compared to periodic
boundary condition.
Abstract: This study investigates the use of a time-series of
MODIS NDVI data to identify agricultural land cover change on an
annual time step (2007 - 2012) and characterize the trend. Following
an ISODATA classification of the MODIS imagery to selectively
mask areas not agriculture or semi-natural, NDVI signatures were
created to identify areas cereals and vineyards with the aid of
ancillary, pictometry and field sample data for 2010. The NDVI
signature curve and training samples were used to create a decision
tree model in WEKA 3.6.9 using decision tree classifier (J48)
algorithm; Model 1 including ISODATA classification and Model 2
not. These two models were then used to classify all data for the
study area for 2010, producing land cover maps with classification
accuracies of 77% and 80% for Model 1 and 2 respectively. Model 2
was subsequently used to create land cover classification and change
detection maps for all other years. Subtle changes and areas of
consistency (unchanged) were observed in the agricultural classes
and crop practices. Over the years as predicted by the land cover
classification. Forty one percent of the catchment comprised of
cereals with 35% possibly following a crop rotation system.
Vineyards largely remained constant with only one percent
conversion to vineyard from other land cover classes.
Abstract: Corrosion of concrete sewer pipes induced by
sulphuric acid attack is a recognised problem worldwide, which is not
only an attribute of countries with hot climate conditions as thought
before. The significance of this problem is by far only realised when
the pipe collapses causing surface flooding and other severe
consequences. To change the existing post-reactive attitude of
managing companies, easy to use and robust models are required to
be developed which currently lack reliable data to be correctly
calibrated. This paper focuses on laboratory experiments of
establishing concrete pipe corrosion rate by submerging samples in to
0.5pH sulphuric acid solution for 56 days under 10ºC, 20ºC and 30ºC
temperature regimes. The result showed that at very early stage of the
corrosion process the samples gained overall mass, at 30ºC the
corrosion progressed quicker than for other temperature regimes,
however with time the corrosion level for 10ºC and 20ºC regimes
tended towards those at 30ºC. Overall, at these conditions the
corrosion rates of 10 mm/year, 13,5 mm/year and 17 mm/year were
observed.
Abstract: We evaluate the performance of a numerical method
for global optimization of expensive functions. The method is using a
response surface to guide the search for the global optimum. This
metamodel could be based on radial basis functions, kriging, or a
combination of different models. We discuss how to set the cyclic
parameters of the optimization method to get a balance between local
and global search. We also discuss the eventual problem with Runge
oscillations in the response surface.
Abstract: Rehabilitation of dam components such as foundations, buttresses, spillways and overtopping protection require a wide range of construction and design methodologies. Geotechnical Engineering considerations play an important role in the design and construction of foundations of new dams. Much investigation is required to assess and evaluate the existing dams. The application of roller compacting concrete (RCC) has been accepted as a new method for constructing new dams or rehabilitating old ones. In the past 40 years there have been so many changes in the usage of RCC and now it is one of most satisfactory solutions of water and hydropower resource throughout the world. The considerations of rehabilitation and construction of dams might differ due to upstream reservoir and its influence on penetrating and dewatering of downstream, operations requirements and plant layout. One of the advantages of RCC is its rapid placement which allows the dam to be operated quickly. Unlike ordinary concrete it is a drier mix, and stiffs enough for compacting by vibratory rollers. This paper evaluates some different aspects of RCC and focuses on its preparation progress.