Abstract: In this paper, the C1-conforming finite element method is analyzed for a class of nonlinear fourth-order hyperbolic partial differential equation. Some a priori bounds are derived using Lyapunov functional, and existence, uniqueness and regularity for the weak solutions are proved. Optimal error estimates are derived for both semidiscrete and fully discrete schemes.
Abstract: Image-based Rendering(IBR) techniques recently
reached in broad fields which leads to a critical challenge to build up
IBR-Driven visualization platform where meets requirement of high
performance, large bounds of distributed visualization resource
aggregation and concentration, multiple operators deploying and
CSCW design employing. This paper presents an unique IBR-based
visualization dataflow model refer to specific characters of IBR
techniques and then discusses prominent feature of IBR-Driven
distributed collaborative visualization (DCV) system before finally
proposing an novel prototype. The prototype provides a well-defined
three level modules especially work as Central Visualization Server,
Local Proxy Server and Visualization Aid Environment, by which
data and control for collaboration move through them followed the
previous dataflow model. With aid of this triple hierarchy architecture
of that, IBR oriented application construction turns to be easy. The
employed augmented collaboration strategy not only achieve
convenient multiple users synchronous control and stable processing
management, but also is extendable and scalable.
Abstract: This paper presents the design of a ring-shaped tri-axial fore sensor that can be incorporated into the tip of a guidewire for use in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The designed sensor comprises a ring-shaped structure located at the center of four cantilever beams. The ringdesign allows surgical tools to be easily passed through which largely simplified the integration process. Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are used aspiezoresistive sensing elementsembeddedon the four cantilevers of the sensor to detect the resistance change caused by the applied load.An integration scheme with new designed guidewire tip structure having two coils at the distal end is presented. Finite element modeling has been employed in the sensor design to find the maximum stress location in order to put the SiNWs at the high stress regions to obtain maximum output. A maximum applicable force of 5 mN is found from modeling. The interaction mechanism between the designed sensor and a steel wire has been modeled by FEM. A linear relationship between the applied load on the steel wire and the induced stress on the SiNWs were observed.
Abstract: Nowadays, hard disk is one of the most popular storage components. In hard disk industry, the hard disk drive must pass various complex processes and tested systems. In each step, there are some failures. To reduce waste from these failures, we must find the root cause of those failures. Conventionall data analysis method is not effective enough to analyze the large capacity of data. In this paper, we proposed the Hough method for straight line detection that helps to detect straight line defect patterns that occurs in hard disk drive. The proposed method will help to increase more speed and accuracy in failure analysis.
Abstract: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
(OFDM) is an efficient method of data transmission for high speed
communication systems. However, the main drawback of OFDM
systems is that, it suffers from the problem of high Peak-to-Average
Power Ratio (PAPR) which causes inefficient use of the High Power
Amplifier and could limit transmission efficiency. OFDM consist of
large number of independent subcarriers, as a result of which the
amplitude of such a signal can have high peak values. In this paper,
we propose an effective reduction scheme that combines DCT and
SLM techniques. The scheme is composed of the DCT followed by
the SLM using the Riemann matrix to obtain phase sequences for the
SLM technique. The simulation results show PAPR can be greatly
reduced by applying the proposed scheme. In comparison with
OFDM, while OFDM had high values of PAPR –about 10.4dB our
proposed method achieved about 4.7dB reduction of the PAPR with
low complexities computation. This approach also avoids
randomness in phase sequence selection, which makes it simpler to
decode at the receiver. As an added benefit, the matrices can be
generated at the receiver end to obtain the data signal and hence it is
not required to transmit side information (SI).
Abstract: In this paper, we consider the problem for identifying the unknown source in the Poisson equation. A modified Tikhonov regularization method is presented to deal with illposedness of the problem and error estimates are obtained with an a priori strategy and an a posteriori choice rule to find the regularization parameter. Numerical examples show that the proposed method is effective and stable.
Abstract: This work concerns the topological optimization
problem for determining the optimal petroleum refinery
configuration. We are interested in further investigating and
hopefully advancing the existing optimization approaches and
strategies employing logic propositions to conceptual process
synthesis problems. In particular, we seek to contribute to this
increasingly exciting area of chemical process modeling by
addressing the following potentially important issues: (a) how the
formulation of design specifications in a mixed-logical-and-integer
optimization model can be employed in a synthesis problem to enrich
the problem representation by incorporating past design experience,
engineering knowledge, and heuristics; and (b) how structural
specifications on the interconnectivity relationships by space (states)
and by function (tasks) in a superstructure should be properly
formulated within a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP)
model. The proposed modeling technique is illustrated on a case
study involving the alternative processing routes of naphtha, in which
significant improvement in the solution quality is obtained.
Abstract: Unlike its conventional counterpart, Islamic principles
forbid Islamic banks to take any interest-related income and thus
makes deposits from depositors as an important source of fund for its
operational and financing. Consequently, the risk of deposit
withdrawal by depositors is an important aspect that should be wellmanaged
in Islamic banking. This paper aims to investigate factors
that influence depositors- withdrawal behavior in Islamic banks,
particularly in Malaysia, using the framework of theory of reasoned
action. A total of 368 respondents from Klang valley are involved in
the analysis. The paper finds that all the constructs variable i.e.
normative beliefs, subjective norms, behavioral beliefs, and attitude
towards behavior are perceived to be distinct by the respondents. In
addition, the structural equation model is able to verify the structural
relationships between subjective norms, attitude towards behavior
and behavioral intention. Subjective norms gives more influence to
depositors- decision on deposit withdrawal compared to attitude
towards behavior.
Abstract: In This Article We establish moment inequality of
dependent random variables,furthermore some theorems of strong law
of large numbers and complete convergence for sequences of dependent
random variables. In particular, independent and identically
distributed Marcinkiewicz Law of large numbers are generalized to
the case of m0-dependent sequences.
Abstract: Vision-based intelligent vehicle applications often require large amounts of memory to handle video streaming and image processing, which in turn increases complexity of hardware and software. This paper presents an FPGA implement of a vision-based blind spot warning system. Using video frames, the information of the blind spot area turns into one-dimensional information. Analysis of the estimated entropy of image allows the detection of an object in time. This idea has been implemented in the XtremeDSP video starter kit. The blind spot warning system uses only 13% of its logic resources and 95k bits block memory, and its frame rate is over 30 frames per sec (fps).
Abstract: A virtual collaborative classroom was created at East Carolina University, using videoconference technology via regular internet to bring students from 18 different countries, 2 at a time, to the ECU classroom in real time to learn about each other-s culture. Students from two countries are partnered one on one, they meet for 4-5 weeks, and submit a joint paper. Then the same process is repeated for two other countries. Lectures and student discussions are managed with pre-determined topics and questions. Classes are conducted in English and reading assignments are placed on the website. Administratively all partners are independent, students pay fees and get credits at their home institution. Familiarity with technology, knowledge in cultural understanding and attitude change were assessed, only attitude changes are reported in this paper. After taking this course, all students stated their comfort level in working with, and their desire to interact with, culturally different others grew stronger and their xenophobia and isolationist attitudes decreased.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to consider the
introduction of online courses to replace the current classroom-based
staff training. The current training is practical, and must be
completed before access to the financial computer system is
authorized. The long term objective is to measure the efficacy,
effectiveness and efficiency of the training, and to establish whether
a transfer of knowledge back to the workplace has occurred. This
paper begins with an overview explaining the importance of staff
training in an evolving, competitive business environment and
defines the problem facing this particular organization. A summary
of the literature review is followed by a brief discussion of the
research methodology and objective. The implementation of the
alpha version of the online course is then described. This paper may
be of interest to those seeking insights into, or new theory regarding,
practical interventions of online learning in the real world.
Abstract: We developed a non-contact method for the in-situ
monitoring of the thermal forming of glass and Si foils to optimize
the manufacture of mirrors for high-resolution space x-ray
telescopes. Their construction requires precise and light-weight
segmented optics with angular resolution better than 5 arcsec. We
used 75x25 mm Desag D263 glass foils 0.75 mm thick and 0.6 mm
thick Si foils. The glass foils were shaped by free slumping on a
frame at viscosities in the range of 109.3-1012 dPa·s, the Si foils by
forced slumping above 1000°C. Using a Nikon D80 digital camera,
we took snapshots of a foil-s shape every 5 min during its isothermal
heat treatment. The obtained results we can use for computer
simulations. By comparing the measured and simulated data, we can
more precisely define material properties of the foils and optimize
the forming technology.
Abstract: We have investigated the effect of piezoelectric (PZ)
polarization property in binary as well as in ternary wurtzite nitrides.
It is found that with the presence of PZ polarization property, the
phonon group velocity is modified. The change in phonon group
velocity due to PZ polarization effect directly depends on
piezoelectric tensor value. Using different piezoelectric tensor values
recommended by different workers in the literature, percent change in
group velocities of phonons has been estimated. The Debye
temperatures and frequencies of binary nitrides GaN, AlN and InN
are also calculated using the modified group velocities. For ternary
nitrides AlxGa(1-x)N, InxGa(1-x)N and InxAl(1-x)N, the phonon group
velocities have been calculated as a functions of composition. A
small positive bowing is observed in phonon group velocities of
ternary alloys. Percent variations in phonon group velocities are also
calculated for a straightforward comparison among ternary nitrides.
The results are expected to show a change in phonon relaxation rates
and thermal conductivity of III-nitrides when piezoelectric
polarization property is taken into consideration.
Abstract: In this paper an alternative visualisation approach of
the wake behind different vehicle body shapes with simplified and
fully-detailed underbody has been proposed and analysed. This
allows for a more clear distinction among the different wake regions.
This visualisation is based on a transformation of the cartesian
coordinates of a chosen wake plane to polar coordinates, using as
filter velocities lower than the freestream. This transformation
produces a polar wake plot that enables the division and
quantification of the wake in a number of sections. In this paper,
local drag has been used to visualise the drag contribution of the flow
by the different sections. Visually, a balanced wake can be observed
by the concentric behaviour of the polar plots. Alternatively,
integration of the local drag of each degree section as a ratio of the
total local drag yields a quantifiable approach of the wake uniformity,
where different sections contribute equally to the local drag, with the
exception of the wheels.
Abstract: The problem of exponential stability and periodicity for a class of cellular neural networks (DCNNs) with time-varying delays is investigated. By dividing the network state variables into subgroups according to the characters of the neural networks, some sufficient conditions for exponential stability and periodicity are derived via the methods of variation parameters and inequality techniques. These conditions are represented by some blocks of the interconnection matrices. Compared with some previous methods, the method used in this paper does not resort to any Lyapunov function, and the results derived in this paper improve and generalize some earlier criteria established in the literature cited therein. Two examples are discussed to illustrate the main results.
Abstract: This research investigates the effects of the opening
shape and location on the structural behavior of reinforced concrete
deep beam with openings, while keeping the opening size unchanged.
The software ANSYS 12.1 is used to handle the nonlinear finite
element analysis. The ultimate strength of reinforced concrete deep
beam with opening obtained by ANSYS 12.1 shows fair agreement
with the experimental results, with a difference of no more than 20%. The present work concludes that the opening location has much more effect on the structural strength than the opening shape. It was
concluded that placing the openings near the upper corners of the
deep beam may double the strength, and the use of a rectangular
narrow opening, with the long sides in the horizontal direction, can save up to 40% of structural strength of the deep beam.
Abstract: Knee joint forces are available by in vivo measurement
using an instrumented knee prosthesis for small to moderate knee
flexion but not for high flexion yet. We created a 2D mathematical
model of the lower limb incorporating several new features such as a
patello-femoral mechanism, a thigh-calf contact at high knee flexion
and co-contracting muscles' force ratio, then used it to determine knee
joint forces arising from high knee flexions in four kneeling
conditions: rising with legs in parallel, with one foot forward, with or
without arm use. With arms used, the maximum values of knee joint
force decreased to about 60% of those with arms not used. When rising
with one foot forward, if arms are not used, the forward leg sustains a
force as large as that sustained when rising with legs parallel.
Abstract: An attempt has been made to determine the strength
and impact properties of Cr-Mo steel weld and base materials by
varying the current during manual metal arc welding. Toughness over
a temperature range from -32 to 100°C of base, heat affected zone
(HAZ) and weld zones at three current settings are made. It is
observed that the deterioration in notch toughness at any zone with
the temperature decreases. The values of notch toughness for all
zones at -32°C are almost same for any current settings. The values
of notch toughness at HAZ area are higher than that of weld area due
to the coarsening of ferrite grain of HAZ occurs with higher heat
input. From microhardness and microstructure result, it can be
concluded that large inclusion content in weld deposit is the cause of
lower notch toughness value.
Abstract: Air quality studies were carried out in the towns of
Putrajaya, Petaling Jaya and Nilai in the Malaysian Peninsular. In this
study, the variations of Ozone (O3) concentrations over a four year
period (2008-2011) were investigated using data obtained from the
Malaysian Department of the Environment (DOE). This study aims to
identify and describe the daily and monthly variations of O3
concentrations at the monitoring sites mentioned. The SPPS program
(Statistical Package for the Social Science) was used to analyze this
data in order to obtain the variations of O3 and also to clarify the
relationship between the stations. The findings of the study revealed
that the highest concentration of O3 occurred during the midday and
afternoon (between 13:00-15:00 hrs). The comparison between
stations also showed that highest O3 concentrations were recorded in
Putrajaya. The comparisons of average and maximum concentrations
of O3 for the three stations showed that the strongest significant
correlation was recorded in the Petaling Jaya station with the value
R2= 0.667. Results from this study indicate that in the urban areas of
Peninsular Malaysia, the concentration of O3 depends on the
concentration of NOx. Furthermore, HYSPLIT back trajectories
(-72h) indicated that air-mass transport patterns can also influence the
O3 concentration in the areas studied.