Abstract: Smart Dust particles, are small smart materials used for generating weather maps. We investigate question of the optimal number of Smart Dust particles necessary for generating precise, computationally feasible and cost effective 3–D weather maps. We also give an optimal matching algorithm for the generalized scenario, when there are N Smart Dust particles and M ground receivers.
Abstract: Ramadan requires individuals to abstain from food and fluid intake between sunrise and sunset; physiological considerations predict that poorer mood, physical performance and mental performance will result. In addition, any difficulties will be worsened because preparations for fasting and recovery from it often mean that nocturnal sleep is decreased in length, and this independently affects mood and performance.
A difficulty of interpretation in many studies is that the observed changes could be due to fasting but also to the decreased length of sleep and altered food and fluid intakes before and after the daytime fasting. These factors were separated in this study, which took place over three separate days and compared the effects of different durations of fasting (4, 8 or 16h) upon a wide variety of measures (including subjective and objective assessments of performance, body composition, dehydration and responses to a short bout of exercise) - but with an unchanged amount of nocturnal sleep, controlled supper the previous evening, controlled intakes at breakfast and daytime naps not being allowed. Many of the negative effects of fasting observed in previous studies were present in this experiment also. These findings indicate that fasting was responsible for many of the changes previously observed, though some effect of sleep loss, particularly if occurring on successive days (as would occur in Ramadan) cannot be excluded.
Abstract: This study determines the effect of naked and heparinbased
super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on the human
cancer cell lines of A2780. Doxorubicin was used as the anticancer
drug, entrapped in the SPIO-NPs. This study aimed to decorate
nanoparticles with heparin, a molecular ligand for 'active' targeting
of cancerous cells and the application of modified-nanoparticles in
cancer treatment. The nanoparticles containing the anticancer drug
DOX were prepared by a solvent evaporation and emulsification
cross-linking method. The physicochemical properties of the
nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques, and uniform
nanoparticles with an average particle size of 110±15 nm with high
encapsulation efficiencies (EE) were obtained. Additionally, a
sustained release of DOX from the SPIO-NPs was successful.
Cytotoxicity tests showed that the SPIO-DOX-HP had higher cell
toxicity than the individual HP and confocal microscopy analysis
confirmed excellent cellular uptake efficiency. These results indicate
that HP based SPIO-NPs have potential uses as anticancer drug
carriers and also have an enhanced anticancer effect.
Abstract: Many difficulties are faced in the process of learning
computer programming. This paper will propose a system framework
intended to reduce cognitive load in learning programming. In first
section focus is given on the process of learning and the
shortcomings of the current approaches to learning programming.
Finally the proposed prototype is suggested along with the
justification of the prototype. In the proposed prototype the concept
map is used as visualization metaphor. Concept maps are similar to
the mental schema in long term memory and hence it can reduce
cognitive load well. In addition other method such as part code
method is also proposed in this framework to can reduce cognitive
load.
Abstract: Characteristics and sonocatalytic activity of zeolite
Y catalysts loaded with TiO2 using impregnation and ion exchange
methods for the degradation of amaranth dye were investigated.
The Ion-exchange method was used to encapsulate the TiO2 into
the internal pores of the zeolite while the incorporation of TiO2
mostly on the external surface of zeolite was carried out using the
impregnation method. Different characterization techniques were
used to elucidate the physicochemical properties of the produced
catalysts. The framework of zeolite Y remained virtually
unchanged after the encapsulation of TiO2 while the crystallinity of
zeolite decreased significantly after the incorporation of 15 wt% of
TiO2. The sonocatalytic activity was enhanced by TiO2
incorporation with maximum degradation efficiencies of 50% and
68% for the encapsulated titanium and titanium loaded onto the
zeolite, respectively after 120min of reaction. Catalysts
characteristics and sonocatalytic behaviors were significantly
affected by the preparation method and the location of TiO2
introduced with zeolite structure. Behaviors in the sonocatalytic
process were successfully correlated with the characteristics of the
catalysts used.
Abstract: This conference paper discusses a risk allocation problem for subprime investing banks involving investment in subprime structured mortgage products (SMPs) and Treasuries. In order to solve this problem, we develop a L'evy process-based model of jump diffusion-type for investment choice in subprime SMPs and Treasuries. This model incorporates subprime SMP losses for which credit default insurance in the form of credit default swaps (CDSs) can be purchased. In essence, we solve a mean swap-at-risk (SaR) optimization problem for investment which determines optimal allocation between SMPs and Treasuries subject to credit risk protection via CDSs. In this regard, SaR is indicative of how much protection investors must purchase from swap protection sellers in order to cover possible losses from SMP default. Here, SaR is defined in terms of value-at-risk (VaR). Finally, we provide an analysis of the aforementioned optimization problem and its connections with the subprime mortgage crisis (SMC).
Abstract: To improve the material characteristics of single- and
poly-crystals of pure copper, the respective relationships between crystallographic orientations and microstructures, and the bending and mechanical properties were examined. And texture distribution is also
analyzed. A grain refinement procedure was performed to obtain a
grained structure. Furthermore, some analytical results related to
crystal direction maps, inverse pole figures, and textures were obtained from SEM-EBSD analyses. Results showed that these
grained metallic materials have peculiar springback characteristics with various bending angles.
Abstract: In this study we investigate the insertion of
pioglitazone, a Thiazolidinedione, into the two different sizes of
Carbon nanotub. It was shown that the insertion of pioglitazone into
the carbon nanotube in a water solute environment could be related
to the diameter of the nanotube and in the flow of the waters via
hydrophilic interactions. This encapsulated drug-carbon nanotube
molecule can be further applicable in other investigations in target
therapy with these agents regarding to reduce their potential toxic
effects.
Abstract: A concrete structure is designed and constructed for its
purpose of use, and is expected to maintain its function for the target
durable years from when it was planned. Nevertheless, as time elapses
the structure gradually deteriorates and then eventually degrades to the
point where the structure cannot exert the function for which it was
planned. The performance of concrete that is able to maintain the level
of the performance required over the designed period of use as it has
less deterioration caused by the elapse of time under the designed
condition is referred to as Durability. There are a number of causes of
durability degradation, but especially chloride damage, carbonation,
freeze-thaw, etc are the main causes. In this study, carbonation, one of
the main causes of deterioration of the durability of a concrete
structure, was investigated via a microstructure analysis technique.
The method for the measurement of carbonation was studied using the
existing indicator method, and the method of measuring the progress
of carbonation in a quantitative manner was simultaneously studied
using a FT-IR (Fourier-Transform Infrared) Spectrometer along with
the microstructure analysis technique.
Abstract: Face Recognition has always been a fascinating research area. It has drawn the attention of many researchers because of its various potential applications such as security systems, entertainment, criminal identification etc. Many supervised and unsupervised learning techniques have been reported so far. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Self Organizing Maps (SOM) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA) are the three techniques among many others as proposed by different researchers for Face Recognition, known as the unsupervised techniques. This paper proposes integration of the two techniques, SOM and PCA, for dimensionality reduction and feature selection. Simulation results show that, though, the individual techniques SOM and PCA itself give excellent performance but the combination of these two can also be utilized for face recognition. Experimental results also indicate that for the given face database and the classifier used, SOM performs better as compared to other unsupervised learning techniques. A comparison of two proposed methodologies of SOM, Local and Global processing, shows the superiority of the later but at the cost of more computational time.
Abstract: Soil chemical and physical properties have important
roles in compartment of the environment and agricultural
sustainability and human health. The objectives of this research is
determination of spatial distribution patterns of Cd, Zn, K, pH, TNV,
organic material and electrical conductivity (EC) in agricultural soils
of Natanz region in Esfehan province. In this study geostatistic and
non-geostatistic methods were used for prediction of spatial
distribution of these parameters. 64 composite soils samples were
taken at 0-20 cm depth. The study area is located in south of
NATANZ agricultural lands with area of 21660 hectares. Spatial
distribution of Cd, Zn, K, pH, TNV, organic material and electrical
conductivity (EC) was determined using geostatistic and geographic
information system. Results showed that Cd, pH, TNV and K data
has normal distribution and Zn, OC and EC data had not normal
distribution. Kriging, Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW), Local
Polynomial Interpolation (LPI) and Redial Basis functions (RBF)
methods were used to interpolation. Trend analysis showed that
organic carbon in north-south and east to west did not have trend
while K and TNV had second degree trend. We used some error
measurements include, mean absolute error(MAE), mean squared
error (MSE) and mean biased error(MBE). Ordinary
kriging(exponential model), LPI(Local polynomial interpolation),
RBF(radial basis functions) and IDW methods have been chosen as
the best methods to interpolating of the soil parameters. Prediction
maps by disjunctive kriging was shown that in whole study area was
intensive shortage of organic matter and more than 63.4 percent of
study area had shortage of K amount.
Abstract: Today, cancer remains one of the major diseases that
lead to death. The main obstacle in chemotherapy as a main cancer
treatment is the toxicity to normal cells due to Multidrug Resistance
(MDR) after the use of anticancer drugs. Proposed solution to
overcome this problem is the use of MDR efflux inhibitor of cinchona
alkaloids which is delivered together with anticancer drugs
encapsulated in the form of polymeric nanoparticles. The particles
were prepared by the hydration method. The characterization of
nanoparticles was particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency
and in vitro drug release. Combination nanoparticle size ranged 29-45
nm with a neutral surface charge. Entrapment efficiency was above
87% for the use quinine, quinidine or cinchonidine in combination
with etoposide. The release test results exhibited that the cinchona
alkaloids release released faster than that of etoposide. Collectively,
cinchona alkaloids can be packaged along with etoposide in
nanomicelles for better cancer therapy.
Abstract: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is one of the successful outcomes of China's foreign policy since the end of the Cold war. The expansion of multilateral ties all over the world by dint of pursuing institutional strategies as SCO, identify China as a more constructive power. SCO became a new model of cooperation that was formed on remains of collapsed Soviet system, and predetermined China's geopolitical role in the region. As the fast developing effective regional mechanism, SCO today has more of external impact on the international system and forms a new type of interaction for promoting China's grand strategy of 'peaceful rise'.
Abstract: Plasmodium vivax malaria differs from P. falciparum malaria in that a person suffering from P. vivax infection can suffer relapses of the disease. This is due the parasite being able to remain dormant in the liver of the patients where it is able to re-infect the patient after a passage of time. During this stage, the patient is classified as being in the dormant class. The model to describe the transmission of P. vivax malaria consists of a human population divided into four classes, the susceptible, the infected, the dormant and the recovered. The effect of a time delay on the transmission of this disease is studied. The time delay is the period in which the P. vivax parasite develops inside the mosquito (vector) before the vector becomes infectious (i.e., pass on the infection). We analyze our model by using standard dynamic modeling method. Two stable equilibrium states, a disease free state E0 and an endemic state E1, are found to be possible. It is found that the E0 state is stable when a newly defined basic reproduction number G is less than one. If G is greater than one the endemic state E1 is stable. The conditions for the endemic equilibrium state E1 to be a stable spiral node are established. For realistic values of the parameters in the model, it is found that solutions in phase space are trajectories spiraling into the endemic state. It is shown that the limit cycle and chaotic behaviors can only be achieved with unrealistic parameter values.
Abstract: Short term electricity demand forecasts are required
by power utilities for efficient operation of the power grid. In a
competitive market environment, suppliers and large consumers also
require short term forecasts in order to estimate their energy
requirements in advance. Electricity demand is influenced (among
other things) by the day of the week, the time of year and special
periods and/or days such as Ramadhan, all of which must be
identified prior to modelling. This identification, known as day-type
identification, must be included in the modelling stage either by
segmenting the data and modelling each day-type separately or by
including the day-type as an input. Day-type identification is the
main focus of this paper. A Kohonen map is employed to identify the
separate day-types in Algerian data.
Abstract: Integration of system process information obtained
through an image processing system with an evolving knowledge
database to improve the accuracy and predictability of wear particle
analysis is the main focus of the paper. The objective is to automate
intelligently the analysis process of wear particle using classification
via self organizing maps. This is achieved using relationship
measurements among corresponding attributes of various
measurements for wear particle. Finally, visualization technique is
proposed that helps the viewer in understanding and utilizing these
relationships that enable accurate diagnostics.
Abstract: Integration of system process information obtained
through an image processing system with an evolving knowledge
database to improve the accuracy and predictability of wear debris
analysis is the main focus of the paper. The objective is to automate
intelligently the analysis process of wear particle using classification
via self-organizing maps. This is achieved using relationship
measurements among corresponding attributes of various
measurements for wear debris. Finally, visualization technique is
proposed that helps the viewer in understanding and utilizing these
relationships that enable accurate diagnostics.
Abstract: The most Malaria cases are occur along Thai-Mynmar border. Mathematical model for the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria in a mixed population of Thais and migrant Burmese living along the Thai-Myanmar Border is studied. The population is separated into two groups, Thai and Burmese. Each population is divided into susceptible, infected, dormant and recovered subclasses. The loss of immunity by individuals in the infected class causes them to move back into the susceptible class. The person who is infected with Plasmodium vivax and is a member of the dormant class can relapse back into the infected class. A standard dynamical method is used to analyze the behaviors of the model. Two stable equilibrium states, a disease-free state and an epidemic state, are found to be possible in each population. A disease-free equilibrium state in the Thai population occurs when there are no infected Burmese entering the community. When infected Burmese enter the Thai community, an epidemic state can occur. It is found that the disease-free state is stable when the threshold number is less than one. The epidemic state is stable when a second threshold number is greater than one. Numerical simulations are used to confirm the results of our model.