Abstract: This paper presents the application of a signal
intensity independent registration criterion for 2D rigid body
registration of medical images using 1D binary projections. The
criterion is defined as the weighted ratio of two projections. The ratio
is computed on a pixel per pixel basis and weighting is performed by
setting the ratios between one and zero pixels to a standard high
value. The mean squared value of the weighted ratio is computed
over the union of the one areas of the two projections and it is
minimized using the Chebyshev polynomial approximation using
n=5 points. The sum of x and y projections is used for translational
adjustment and a 45deg projection for rotational adjustment. 20 T1-
T2 registration experiments were performed and gave mean errors
1.19deg and 1.78 pixels. The method is suitable for contour/surface
matching. Further research is necessary to determine the robustness
of the method with regards to threshold, shape and missing data.
Abstract: In this paper we present an autoregressive model with
neural networks modeling and standard error backpropagation
algorithm training optimization in order to predict the gross domestic
product (GDP) growth rate of four countries. Specifically we propose
a kind of weighted regression, which can be used for econometric
purposes, where the initial inputs are multiplied by the neural
networks final optimum weights from input-hidden layer after the
training process. The forecasts are compared with those of the
ordinary autoregressive model and we conclude that the proposed
regression-s forecasting results outperform significant those of
autoregressive model in the out-of-sample period. The idea behind
this approach is to propose a parametric regression with weighted
variables in order to test for the statistical significance and the
magnitude of the estimated autoregressive coefficients and
simultaneously to estimate the forecasts.
Abstract: Partitions can play a significant role in minimising cochannel
interference of Wireless LANs by attenuating signals across
room boundaries. This could pave the way towards higher density
deployments in home and office environments through spatial
channel reuse. Yet, due to protocol limitations, the latest incantation
of IEEE 802.11 standard is still unable to take advantage of this fact:
Despite having clearly adequate Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR)
over co-channel neighbouring networks in other rooms, its goodput
falls significantly lower than its maximum in the absence of cochannel
interferers. In this paper, we describe how this situation can
be remedied via modest modifications to the standard.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the
efficiency of a double-layer roof in collecting solar energy as an
application to the areas such as raising high-end temperature of
organic Rankine cycle (ORC). The by-product of the solar roof is to
reduce building air-conditioning loads. The experimental apparatus
are arranged to evaluate the effects of the solar roof in absorbing solar
energy. The flow channel is basically formed by an aluminum plate on
top of a plywood plate. The geometric configurations in which the
effects of absorbing energy is analyzed include: a bare uncovered
aluminum plate, a glass-covered aluminum plate, a
glass-covered/black-painted aluminum plate, a plate with variable
lengths, a flow channel with stuffed material (in an attempt on
enhancement of heat conduction), and a flow channel with variable
slanted angles. The experimental results show that the efficiency of
energy collection varies from 0.6 % to 11 % for the geometric
configurations mentioned above. An additional study is carried out
using CFD simulation to investigate the effects of fins on the
aluminum plate. It shows that due to vastly enhanced heat conduction,
the efficiency can reach ~23 % if 50 fins are installed on the aluminum
plate. The study shows that a double-layer roof can efficiently absorb
solar energy and substantially reduce building air-conditioning
loads. On the high end of an organic Rankine cycle, a solar pond is
used to replace the warm surface water of the sea as OTEC (ocean
thermal energy conversion) is the driving energy for the ORC. The
energy collected from the double-layered solar roof can be pumped
into the pond and raise the pond temperature as the pond surface area is
equivalently increased by nearly one-fourth of the total area of the
double-layer solar roof. The effect of raising solar pond temperature is
especially prominent if the double-layer solar roofs are installed in a
community area.
Abstract: In many cases, there are some time lag between the consumption of inputs and the production of outputs. This time lag effect should be considered in evaluating the performance of organizations. Recently, a couple of DEA models were developed for considering time lag effect in efficiency evaluation of research activities. Multi-periods input(MpI) and Multi-periods output(MpO) models are integrate models to calculate simple efficiency considering time lag effect. However, these models can’t discriminate efficient DMUs because of the nature of basic DEA model in which efficiency scores are limited to ‘1’. That is, efficient DMUs can’t be discriminated because their efficiency scores are same. Thus, this paper suggests a super-efficiency model for efficiency evaluation under the consideration of time lag effect based on the MpO model. A case example using a long term research project is given to compare the suggested model with the MpO model.
Abstract: The fast growing accessibility and capability of emerging technologies have fashioned enormous possibilities of designing, developing and implementing innovative teaching methods in the classroom. The global technological scenario has paved the way to new pedagogies in teaching-learning process focusing on technology based learning environment and its impact on student achievement. The present experimental study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of technology based learning environment on student achievement in English as a foreign language. The sample of the study was 90 students of 10th grade of a public school located in Islamabad. A pretest- posttest equivalent group design was used to compare the achievement of the two groups. A Pretest and A posttest containing 50 items each from English textbook were developed and administered. The collected data were statistically analyzed. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of Experimental group and the Control group. The performance of Experimental group was better on posttest scores that indicted that teaching through technology based learning environment enhanced the achievement level of the students. On the basis of the results, it was recommended that teaching and learning through information and communication technologies may be adopted to enhance the language learning capability of the students.
Abstract: In this paper we consider a nonlinear feedback control
called augmented automatic choosing control (AACC) using the
gradient optimization automatic choosing functions for nonlinear
systems. Constant terms which arise from sectionwise linearization
of a given nonlinear system are treated as coefficients of a stable
zero dynamics. Parameters included in the control are suboptimally
selected by expanding a stable region in the sense of Lyapunov
with the aid of the genetic algorithm. This approach is applied to
a field excitation control problem of power system to demonstrate
the splendidness of the AACC. Simulation results show that the new
controller can improve performance remarkably well.
Abstract: Study was conducted to determine the concentration of
copper, cadmium, lead and zinc in Cabomba furcata that found
abundance in Lake Chini. This aquatic plant was collected randomly
within the lake for heavy metal determination. Water quality
measurement was undertaken in situ for temperature, pH,
conductivity and dissolved oksigen using portable multi sensor probe
YSI model 556. The C. furcata was digested using wet digestion
method and heavy metal concentrations were analysed using Atomic
Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) Perkin Elmer 4100B (flame
method). Result of water quality classify Lake Chini between class II
to class III using Malaysian Water Quality Standard. According to
this standard, Lake Chini has moderate quality, which normal for
natural lake. Heavy metal concentrations in C.furcata were low and
found to be lower than the critical toxic value in aquatic plants. Oneway
ANOVA test indicated the heavy metal concentrations in
C.furcata were significantly differ between sampling location. Water
quality and heavy metal concentrations indicates that Lake Chini was
not receives anthropogenic load from nearby activities.
Abstract: In this paper, the application of multiple Elman neural networks to time series data regression problems is studied. An ensemble of Elman networks is formed by boosting to enhance the performance of the individual networks. A modified version of the AdaBoost algorithm is employed to integrate the predictions from multiple networks. Two benchmark time series data sets, i.e., the Sunspot and Box-Jenkins gas furnace problems, are used to assess the effectiveness of the proposed system. The simulation results reveal that an ensemble of boosted Elman networks can achieve a higher degree of generalization as well as performance than that of the individual networks. The results are compared with those from other learning systems, and implications of the performance are discussed.
Abstract: In this research we show that the dynamics of an action potential in a cell can be modeled with a linear combination of the dynamics of the gating state variables. It is shown that the modeling error is negligible. Our findings can be used for simplifying cell models and reduction of computational burden i.e. it is useful for simulating action potential propagation in large scale computations like tissue modeling. We have verified our finding with the use of several cell models.
Abstract: This paper is about hiding RFID tag identifier (ID)
using handheld device like a cellular phone. By modifying the tag ID
of objects periodically or manually using cellular phone built-in a
RFID reader chip or with a external RFID reader device, we can
prevent other people from gathering the information related with
objects querying information server (like an EPC IS) with a tag ID or
deriving the information from tag ID-s code structure or tracking the
location of the objects and the owner of the objects. In this paper, we
use a cryptographic algorithm for modification and restoring of RFID
tag ID, and for one original tag ID, there are several different
temporary tag ID, periodically.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to introduce a new
interface program to calculate a dose distribution with Monte Carlo method in complex heterogeneous systems such as organs or tissues
in proton therapy. This interface program was developed under
MATLAB software and includes a friendly graphical user interface
with several tools such as image properties adjustment or results display. Quadtree decomposition technique was used as an image
segmentation algorithm to create optimum geometries from Computed Tomography (CT) images for dose calculations of proton
beam. The result of the mentioned technique is a number of nonoverlapped
squares with different sizes in every image. By this way
the resolution of image segmentation is high enough in and near
heterogeneous areas to preserve the precision of dose calculations
and is low enough in homogeneous areas to reduce the number of
cells directly. Furthermore a cell reduction algorithm can be used to combine neighboring cells with the same material. The validation of this method has been done in two ways; first, in comparison with experimental data obtained with 80 MeV proton beam in Cyclotron
and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC) in Tohoku University and second, in comparison with data based on polybinary tissue calibration method, performed in CYRIC. These results are presented in this paper. This program can read the output file of Monte Carlo code while region of interest is selected manually, and give a plot of dose distribution of proton beam superimposed onto the CT images.
Abstract: Ranong province has the best kaolin, and it is the most
useful of all the clay types used in ceramic making. Until recently,
there has been only one community business making ceramics in
Ranong province. And this business could not build the mix of body
and glaze from their raw material without assistance. Considering
these problems, this research is aimed to test the composition of
ceramic body and glaze which suit. Kaolin from Ranong is the raw
material which these search focuses on. All other raw materials use in
the investigation will come from southern Thailand, kaolin and
limestone from Ranong province, ball clay from Surat Thani
province, white sand from Songkhla province, and feldspar from
Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Results can be used to develop the
efficiency of industrial production which in return will enhance the
business process.
Abstract: Partial oxidation (POX) of light hydrocarbons (e.g.
methane) is occurred in the first part of the autothermal reformer
(ATR). The results of the detailed modeling of the reformer based on
the thermodynamic model of the POX and 1D heterogeneous
catalytic model for the fixed bed section are considered here.
According to the results, the overall performance of the ATR can be
improved by changing the important feed parameters.
Abstract: In this paper, we are concerned with the design and
its simulation studies of a modified extremum seeking control for
nonlinear systems. A standard extremum seeking control has a simple
structure, but it takes a long time to reach an optimal operating point.
We consider a modification of the standard extremum seeking control
which is aimed to reach the optimal operating point more speedily
than the standard one. In the modification, PD acceleration term
is added before an integrator making a principal control, so that it
enables the objects to be regulated to the optimal point smoothly. This
proposed method is applied to Monod and Williams-Otto models to
investigate its effectiveness. Numerical simulation results show that
this modified method can improve the time response to the optimal
operating point more speedily than the standard one.
Abstract: Aurein 1.2 is a 13-residue amphipathic peptide with antibacterial and anticancer activity. Aurein1.2 and its retro analog were synthesized to study the activity of the peptides in relation to their structure. The antibacterial test result showed the retro-analog is inactive. The secondary structural analysis by CD spectra indicated that both of the peptides at TFE/Water adopt alpha-helical conformation. MD simulation was performed on aurein 1.2 and retro-analog in water and TFE in order to analyse the factors that are involved in the activity difference between retro and the native peptide. The simulation results are discussed and validated in the light of experimental data from the CD experiment. Both of the peptides showed a relatively similar pattern for their hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, solvent accessible surfaces, and solvent accessible hydrophobic surfaces. However, they showed different in directions of dipole moment of peptides. Also, Our results further indicate that the reversion of the amino acid sequence affects flexibility .The data also showed that factors causing structural rigidity may decrease the activity. Consequently, our finding suggests that in the case of sequence-reversed peptide strategy, one has to pay attention to the role of amino acid sequence order in making flexibility and role of dipole moment direction in peptide activity. KeywordsAntimicrobial peptides, retro, molecular dynamic, circular dichroism.
Abstract: A new deployment of the multiple criteria decision
making (MCDM) techniques: the Simple Additive Weighting
(SAW), and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to
Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) for portfolio allocation, is demonstrated in
this paper. Rather than exclusive reference to mean and variance as in
the traditional mean-variance method, the criteria used in this
demonstration are the first four moments of the portfolio distribution.
Each asset is evaluated based on its marginal impacts to portfolio
higher moments that are characterized by trapezoidal fuzzy numbers.
Then centroid-based defuzzification is applied to convert fuzzy
numbers to the crisp numbers by which SAW and TOPSIS can be
deployed. Experimental results suggest the similar efficiency of these
MCDM approaches to selecting dominant assets for an optimal
portfolio under higher moments. The proposed approaches allow
investors flexibly adjust their risk preferences regarding higher
moments via different schemes adapting to various (from
conservative to risky) kinds of investors. The other significant
advantage is that, compared to the mean-variance analysis, the
portfolio weights obtained by SAW and TOPSIS are consistently
well-diversified.
Abstract: A person-to-person information sharing is easily realized
by P2P networks in which servers are not essential. Leakage
of information, which are caused by malicious accesses for P2P
networks, has become a new social issues. To prevent information
leakage, it is necessary to detect and block traffics of P2P software.
Since some P2P softwares can spoof port numbers, it is difficult to
detect the traffics sent from P2P softwares by using port numbers.
It is more difficult to devise effective countermeasures for detecting
the software because their protocol are not public.
In this paper, a discriminating method of network applications
based on communication characteristics of application messages
without port numbers is proposed. The proposed method is based
on an assumption that there can be some rules about time intervals
to transmit messages in application layer and the number of necessary
packets to send one message. By extracting the rule from network
traffic, the proposed method can discriminate applications without
port numbers.
Abstract: Multi-user interference (MUI) is the main reason of system deterioration in the Spectral Amplitude Coding Optical Code Division Multiple Access (SAC-OCDMA) system. MUI increases with the number of simultaneous users, resulting into higher probability bit rate and limits the maximum number of simultaneous users. On the other hand, Phase induced intensity noise (PIIN) problem which is originated from spontaneous emission of broad band source from MUI severely limits the system performance should be addressed as well. Since the MUI is caused by the interference of simultaneous users, reducing the MUI value as small as possible is desirable. In this paper, an extensive study for the system performance specified by MUI and PIIN reducing is examined. Vectors Combinatorial (VC) codes families are adopted as a signature sequence for the performance analysis and a comparison with reported codes is performed. The results show that, when the received power increases, the PIIN noise for all the codes increases linearly. The results also show that the effect of PIIN can be minimized by increasing the code weight leads to preserve adequate signal to noise ratio over bit error probability. A comparison study between the proposed code and the existing codes such as Modified frequency hopping (MFH), Modified Quadratic- Congruence (MQC) has been carried out.
Abstract: An adaptive spatial Gaussian mixture model is proposed for clustering based color image segmentation. A new clustering objective function which incorporates the spatial information is introduced in the Bayesian framework. The weighting parameter for controlling the importance of spatial information is made adaptive to the image content to augment the smoothness towards piecewisehomogeneous region and diminish the edge-blurring effect and hence the name adaptive spatial finite mixture model. The proposed approach is compared with the spatially variant finite mixture model for pixel labeling. The experimental results with synthetic and Berkeley dataset demonstrate that the proposed method is effective in improving the segmentation and it can be employed in different practical image content understanding applications.