Abstract: Efforts to secure supervisory control and data acquisition
(SCADA) systems must be supported under the guidance of
sound security policies and mechanisms to enforce them. Critical
elements of the policy must be systematically translated into a format
that can be used by policy enforcement components. Ideally, the
goal is to ensure that the enforced policy is a close reflection of
the specified policy. However, security controls commonly used to
enforce policies in the IT environment were not designed to satisfy
the specific needs of the SCADA environment. This paper presents
a language, based on the well-known XACML framework, for the
expression of authorization policies for SCADA systems.
Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the design and
implementation of an online rule-based Expert Systems for Islamic
medication. T his Online Islamic Medication Expert System (OIMES)
focuses on physical illnesses only. Knowledge base of this Expert
System contains exhaustively the types of illness together with their
related cures or treatments/therapies, obtained exclusively from the
Quran and Hadith. Extensive research and study are conducted to
ensure that the Expert System is able to provide the most suitable
treatment with reference to the relevant verses cited in Quran or
Hadith. These verses come together with their related 'actions'
(bodily actions/gestures or some acts) to be performed by the patient
to treat a particular illness/sickness. These verses and the instructions
for the 'actions' are to be displayed unambiguously on the computer
screen. The online platform provides the advantage for patient getting
treatment practically anytime and anywhere as long as the computer
and Internet facility exist. Patient does not need to make appointment
to see an expert for a therapy.
Abstract: By the application of an improved back-propagation
neural network (BPNN), a model of current densities for a solid oxide
fuel cell (SOFC) with 10 layers is established in this study. To build
the learning data of BPNN, Taguchi orthogonal array is applied to
arrange the conditions of operating parameters, which totally 7 factors
act as the inputs of BPNN. Also, the average current densities
achieved by numerical method acts as the outputs of BPNN.
Comparing with the direct solution, the learning errors for all learning
data are smaller than 0.117%, and the predicting errors for 27
forecasting cases are less than 0.231%. The results show that the
presented model effectively builds a mathematical algorithm to predict
performance of a SOFC stack immediately in real time.
Also, the calculating algorithms are applied to proceed with the
optimization of the average current density for a SOFC stack. The
operating performance window of a SOFC stack is found to be
between 41137.11 and 53907.89. Furthermore, an inverse predicting
model of operating parameters of a SOFC stack is developed here by
the calculating algorithms of the improved BPNN, which is proved to
effectively predict operating parameters to achieve a desired
performance output of a SOFC stack.
Abstract: The effects of coatings based on sodium alginate (S.A) and carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) on the color and moisture characteristics of potato round slices were investigated. It is the first time that this combination of polysaccharides is used as edible coating which alone had the best performance as inhibitor of potato color discoloration during the storage of 15 days at 4oC. When ascorbic acid (AA) and green tea (GT) were added in the above edible coating its effects on potato round slices changed. The mixtures of sodium alginate and carboxyl methyl cellulose with ascorbic acid or with green tea behave as a potential moisture barrier, resulting to the extent of potato samples self–life. These data suggests that both GT and AA are potential inhibitors of dehydration in potatoes and not only natural antioxidants.
Abstract: Agriculture products are being more demanding in
market today. To increase its productivity, automation to produce
these products will be very helpful. The purpose of this work is to
measure and determine the ripeness and quality of watermelon. The
textures on watermelon skin will be captured using digital camera.
These images will be filtered using image processing technique. All
these information gathered will be trained using ANN to determine
the watermelon ripeness accuracy. Initial results showed that the best
model has produced percentage accuracy of 86.51%, when measured
at 32 hidden units with a balanced percentage rate of training dataset.
Abstract: Task of object localization is one of the major
challenges in creating intelligent transportation. Unfortunately, in
densely built-up urban areas, localization based on GPS only
produces a large error, or simply becomes impossible. New
opportunities arise for the localization due to the rapidly emerging
concept of a wireless ad-hoc network. Such network, allows
estimating potential distance between these objects measuring
received signal level and construct a graph of distances in which
nodes are the localization objects, and edges - estimates of the
distances between pairs of nodes. Due to the known coordinates of
individual nodes (anchors), it is possible to determine the location of
all (or part) of the remaining nodes of the graph. Moreover, road
map, available in digital format can provide localization routines
with valuable additional information to narrow node location search.
However, despite abundance of well-known algorithms for solving
the problem of localization and significant research efforts, there are
still many issues that currently are addressed only partially. In this
paper, we propose localization approach based on the graph mapped
distances on the digital road map data basis. In fact, problem is
reduced to distance graph embedding into the graph representing area
geo location data. It makes possible to localize objects, in some cases
even if only one reference point is available. We propose simple
embedding algorithm and sample implementation as spatial queries
over sensor network data stored in spatial database, allowing
employing effectively spatial indexing, optimized spatial search
routines and geometry functions.
Abstract: Building Sector is the major electricity consumer and
it is costly to building owners. Therefore the application of thermal
energy storage (TES) has gained attractive to reduce energy cost.
Many attractive tariff packages are being offered by the electricity
provider to promote TES. The tariff packages offered higher cost of
electricity during peak period and lower cost of electricity during off
peak period. This paper presented the return of initial investment by
implementing a centralized air-conditioning plant integrated with
thermal energy storage with partially operation strategies. Building
load profile will be calculated hourly according to building
specification and building usage trend. TES operation conditions will
be designed according to building load demand profile, storage
capacity, tariff packages and peak/off peak period. The Payback
Period analysis method was used to evaluate economic analysis. The
investment is considered a good investment where by the initial cost
is recovered less than ten than seven years.
Abstract: This paper may be considered as combination of both pervasive computing and Differential GPS (global positioning satellite) which relates to control automatic traffic signals in such a
way as to pre-empt normal signal operation and permit lifesaving vehicles. Before knowing the arrival of the lifesaving vehicles from
the signal there is a chance of clearing the traffic. Traffic signal
preemption system includes a vehicle equipped with onboard computer system capable of capturing diagnostic information and
estimated location of the lifesaving vehicle using the information provided by GPS receiver connected to the onboard computer system
and transmitting the information-s using a wireless transmitter via a
wireless network. The fleet management system connected to a
wireless receiver is capable of receiving the information transmitted
by the lifesaving vehicle .A computer is also located at the
intersection uses corrected vehicle position, speed & direction
measurements, in conjunction with previously recorded data defining
approach routes to the intersection, to determine the optimum time to
switch a traffic light controller to preemption mode so that lifesaving
vehicles can pass safely. In case when the ambulance need to take a
“U" turn in a heavy traffic area we suggest a solution. Now we are
going to make use of computerized median which uses LINKED
BLOCKS (removable) to solve the above problem.
Abstract: The Sphere Method is a flexible interior point algorithm for linear programming problems. This was developed mainly by Professor Katta G. Murty. It consists of two steps, the centering step and the descent step. The centering step is the most expensive part of the algorithm. In this centering step we proposed some improvements such as introducing two or more initial feasible solutions as we solve for the more favorable new solution by objective value while working with the rigorous updates of the feasible region along with some ideas integrated in the descent step. An illustration is given confirming the advantage of using the proposed procedure.
Abstract: The drug discovery process starts with protein
identification because proteins are responsible for many functions
required for maintenance of life. Protein identification further needs
determination of protein function. Proposed method develops a
classifier for human protein function prediction. The model uses
decision tree for classification process. The protein function is
predicted on the basis of matched sequence derived features per each
protein function. The research work includes the development of a
tool which determines sequence derived features by analyzing
different parameters. The other sequence derived features are
determined using various web based tools.
Abstract: The Globally Asynchronous Locally Synchronous Network on Chip (GALS NoC) is the most efficient solution that provides low latency transfers and power efficient System on Chip (SoC) interconnect. This study presents a GALS and generic NoC architecture based on a configurable router. This router integrates a sophisticated dynamic arbiter, the wormhole routing technique and can be configured in a manner that allows it to be used in many possible NoC topologies such as Mesh 2-D, Tree and Polygon architectures. This makes it possible to improve the quality of service (QoS) required by the proposed NoC. A comparative performances study of the proposed NoC architecture, Tore architecture and of the most used Mesh 2D architecture is performed. This study shows that Spidergon architecture is characterised by the lower latency and the later saturation. It is also shown that no matter what the number of used links is raised; the Links×Diameter product permitted by the Spidergon architecture remains always the lower. The only limitation of this architecture comes from it-s over cost in term of silicon area.
Abstract: Due to increased number of terrorist attacks in recent years, loads induced by explosions need to be incorporated in building designs. For safer performance of a structure, its foundation should have sufficient strength and stability. Therefore, prior to any reconstruction or rehabilitation of a building subjected to blast, it is important to examine adverse effects on the foundation caused by blast induced ground shocks. This paper evaluates the effects of a buried explosion on a pile foundation. It treats the dynamic response of the pile in saturated sand, using explicit dynamic nonlinear finite element software LS-DYNA. The blast induced wave propagation in the soil and the horizontal deformation of pile are presented and the results are discussed. Further, a parametric study is carried out to evaluate the effect of varying the explosive shape on the pile response. This information can be used to evaluate the vulnerability of piled foundations to credible blast events as well as develop guidance for their design.
Abstract: Despite the internet, which is one of the mass media
that has become quite common in recent years, the relationship of
Advertisement with Television and Cinema, which have always
drawn attention of researchers as basic media and where visual use is
in the foreground, have also become the subject of various studies.
Based on the assumption that the known fundamental effects of
advertisements on consumers are closely related to the creative
process of advertisements as well as the nature and characteristics of
the medium where they are used, these basic mass media (Television
and Cinema) and the consumer motivations of the advertisements
they broadcast have become a focus of study.
Given that the viewers of the mass media in question have shifted
from a passive position to a more active one especially in recent years
and approach contents of advertisements, as they do all contents, in a
more critical and “pitiless" manner, it is possible to say that
individuals make more use of advertisements than in the past and
combine their individual goals with the goals of the advertisements.
This study, which aims at finding out what the goals of these new
individual advertisement use are, how they are shaped by the distinct
characteristics of Television and Cinema, where visuality takes
precedence as basic mass media, and what kind of places they occupy
in the minds of consumers, has determined consumers- motivations
as: “Entertainment", “Escapism", “Play", “Monitoring/Discovery",
“Opposite Sex" and “Aspirations and Role Models".
This study intends to reveal the differences or similarities among
the needs and hence the gratifications of viewers who consume
advertisements on Television or at the Cinema, which are two basic
media where visuality is prioritized.
Abstract: This paper investigates the structure and content of the
wine lists in upscale restaurants in Portugal (N=61). The respondents
considered that a wine list should be easy to use and to modify, welldesigned,
modern and varied. Respondents also stated that they
perform on average 6 revisions to the wine list per year. The
restaurant owner, the restaurant manager and the sommelier were the
main persons in charge of the wine list design. One of the most
important reasons for selecting wines across most restaurants was to
‘complement the menu’ and ‘pairing food with wine’. Restaurants
also reported to be relatively independent from suppliers and
magazine evaluations. Moreover, this work revealed that the
restaurant wine list is considered by restaurateurs as a strategic tool to
sell wine as a complement to the menu, to improve customer
satisfaction and loyalty, to increase restaurant value and to enhance a
successful positioning.
Abstract: In this paper, a novel approach is presented
for designing multiplier-free state-space digital filters. The
multiplier-free design is obtained by finding power-of-2 coefficients
and also quantizing the state variables to power-of-2
numbers. Expressions for the noise variance are derived for the
quantized state vector and the output of the filter. A “structuretransformation
matrix" is incorporated in these expressions. It
is shown that quantization effects can be minimized by properly
designing the structure-transformation matrix. Simulation
results are very promising and illustrate the design algorithm.
Abstract: The current methods of predictive controllers are
utilized for those processes in which the rate of output variations is
not high. For such processes, therefore, stability can be achieved by
implementing the constrained predictive controller or applying
infinite prediction horizon. When the rate of the output growth is
high (e.g. for unstable nonminimum phase process) the stabilization
seems to be problematic. In order to avoid this, it is suggested to
change the method in the way that: first, the prediction error growth
should be decreased at the early stage of the prediction horizon, and
second, the rate of the error variation should be penalized. The
growth of the error is decreased through adjusting its weighting
coefficients in the cost function. Reduction in the error variation is
possible by adding the first order derivate of the error into the cost
function. By studying different examples it is shown that using these
two remedies together, the closed-loop stability of unstable
nonminimum phase process can be achieved.
Abstract: Automatic detection of syllable repetition is one of the
important parameter in assessing the stuttered speech objectively.
The existing method which uses artificial neural network (ANN)
requires high levels of agreement as prerequisite before attempting to
train and test ANNs to separate fluent and nonfluent. We propose
automatic detection method for syllable repetition in read speech for
objective assessment of stuttered disfluencies which uses a novel
approach and has four stages comprising of segmentation, feature
extraction, score matching and decision logic. Feature extraction is
implemented using well know Mel frequency Cepstra coefficient
(MFCC). Score matching is done using Dynamic Time Warping
(DTW) between the syllables. The Decision logic is implemented by
Perceptron based on the score given by score matching. Although
many methods are available for segmentation, in this paper it is done
manually. Here the assessment by human judges on the read speech
of 10 adults who stutter are described using corresponding method
and the result was 83%.
Abstract: We report the electronic structure and optical
properties of NdF3 compound. Our calculations are based on density
functional theory (DFT) using the full potential linearized augmented
plane wave (FPLAPW) method with the inclusion of spin orbit
coupling. We employed the local spin density approximation (LSDA)
and Coulomb-corrected local spin density approximation, known for
treating the highly correlated 4f electrons properly, is able to
reproduce the correct insulating ground state. We find that the
standard LSDA approach is incapable of correctly describing the
electronic properties of such materials since it positions the f-bands
incorrectly resulting in an incorrect metallic ground state. On the
other hand, LSDA + U approximation, known for treating the highly
correlated 4f electrons properly, is able to reproduce the correct
insulating ground state. Interestingly, however, we do not find any
significant differences in the optical properties calculated using
LSDA, and LSDA + U suggesting that the 4f electrons do not play a
decisive role in the optical properties of these compounds. The
reflectivity for NdF3 compound stays low till 7 eV which is
consistent with their large energy gaps. The calculated energy gaps
are in good agreement with experiments. Our calculated reflectivity
compares well with the experimental data and the results are analyzed
in the light of band to band transitions.
Abstract: Concrete pavement has superior durability and longer
structural life than asphalt pavement. Concrete pavement requires
less maintenance compared to asphalt pavement which requires maintenance and major rehabilitation. Use of the concrete pavement
has been grown over the past decade in developing countries. Fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) has been successfully used in design of concrete pavement in past decade. In this research, the effect of fibre
volume fraction in modulus of rupture, load-deflection, equivalent flexural strength (fe,3) and the equivalent flexural strength ratio (Re,3)
has been used in different fibre volume fraction. Crimped-type flat
steel fibre of size 50 x 2.0 x 0.6 mm was used with 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0% volume fraction. Beam specimens of size 500 x 100 x 100 mm were used for flexural as well as with JCI method for analysis flexural toughness, equivalent flexural strength. It was obtained as the 2% fibre volume fractions; reduce 45% of the concrete pavement
thickness.
Abstract: New methodologies for XOR-XNOR circuits are
proposed to improve the speed and power as these circuits are basic
building blocks of many arithmetic circuits. This paper evaluates and
compares the performance of various XOR-XNOR circuits. The
performance of the XOR-XNOR circuits based on TSMC 0.18μm
process models at all range of the supply voltage starting from 0.6V
to 3.3V is evaluated by the comparison of the simulation results
obtained from HSPICE. Simulation results reveal that the proposed
circuit exhibit lower PDP and EDP, more power efficient and faster
when compared with best available XOR-XNOR circuits in the
literature.