Abstract: In this paper we propose an NLP-based method for
Ontology Population from texts and apply it to semi automatic
instantiate a Generic Knowledge Base (Generic Domain Ontology) in
the risk management domain. The approach is semi-automatic and
uses a domain expert intervention for validation. The proposed
approach relies on a set of Instances Recognition Rules based on
syntactic structures, and on the predicative power of verbs in the
instantiation process. It is not domain dependent since it heavily
relies on linguistic knowledge.
A description of an experiment performed on a part of the
ontology of the PRIMA1 project (supported by the European
community) is given. A first validation of the method is done by
populating this ontology with Chemical Fact Sheets from
Environmental Protection Agency2. The results of this experiment
complete the paper and support the hypothesis that relying on the
predicative power of verbs in the instantiation process improves the
performance.
Abstract: Describes the current situation of educational Robotics
"the State of the art" its concept, its evolution their niches of
opportunity, academic and business and the importance of education
and academic outreach. It shows that the development of high-tech
automated educational materials influence the teaching-learning
process and that communication between machines and humans is a
reality.
Abstract: This paper reports the results of an experimental work
conducted to investigate the effect of curing conditions on the
compressive strength of self-compacting geopolymer concrete
prepared by using fly ash as base material and combination of sodium
hydroxide and sodium silicate as alkaline activator. The experiments
were conducted by varying the curing time and curing temperature in
the range of 24-96 hours and 60-90°C respectively. The essential
workability properties of freshly prepared Self-compacting
Geopolymer concrete such as filling ability, passing ability and
segregation resistance were evaluated by using Slump flow,
V-funnel, L-box and J-ring test methods. The fundamental
requirements of high flowability and resistance to segregation as
specified by guidelines on Self-compacting Concrete by EFNARC
were satisfied. Test results indicate that longer curing time and curing
the concrete specimens at higher temperatures result in higher
compressive strength. There was increase in compressive strength
with the increase in curing time; however increase in compressive
strength after 48 hours was not significant. Concrete specimens cured
at 70°C produced the highest compressive strength as compared to
specimens cured at 60°C, 80°C and 90°C.
Abstract: The wide increase and diffusion on telecommunication
technologies have caused a huge spread of electromagnetic sources
in most European Countries. Since the public is continuously being
exposed to electromagnetic radiation the possible health effects have
become the focus of population concerns. As a result, electromagnetic
field monitoring stations which control field strength in commercial
frequency bands are being placed on the flat roof of many buildings.
However there is no guidance on where to place them. This paper
presents an analysis of frequency, polarization and angles of incidence
of a plane wave which impinges on a flat roof security wall and its
dependence on electromagnetic field strength meters placement.
Abstract: The main objective of this project is to build an
autonomous microcontroller-based mobile robot for a local robot
soccer competition. The black competition field is equipped with
white lines to serve as the guidance path for competing robots. Two
prototypes of soccer robot embedded with the Basic Stamp II
microcontroller have been developed. Two servo motors are used as
the drive train for the first prototype whereas the second prototype
uses two DC motors as its drive train. To sense the lines, lightdependent
resistors (LDRs) supply the analog inputs for the
microcontroller. The performances of both prototypes are evaluated.
The DC motor-driven robot has produced better trajectory control
over the one using servo motors and has brought the team into the
final round.
Abstract: As seen in literature, about 70% of the improvement initiatives fail, and a significant number do not even get started. This paper analyses the problem of failing initiatives on Software Process Improvement (SPI), and proposes good practices supported by motivational tools that can help minimizing failures. It elaborates on the hypothesis that human factors are poorly addressed by deployers, especially because implementation guides usually emphasize only technical factors. This research was conducted with SPI deployers and analyses 32 SPI initiatives. The results indicate that although human factors are not commonly highlighted in guidelines, the successful initiatives usually address human factors implicitly. This research shows that practices based on human factors indeed perform a crucial role on successful implantations of SPI, proposes change management as a theoretical framework to introduce those practices in the SPI context and suggests some motivational tools based on SPI deployers experience to support it.
Abstract: For the efficient and safe use of the cable-stayed
bridge, a design based on the detailed local analysis of the cable anchor
system is required. Also, a theoretical design process for the anchor
system should be prepared and reviewed. Generally, the size of the
fixing pipe in the anchor system is decided according to the
specifications prepared by cable-manufacturing companies, and
accordingly, there is difficulty determining the initial inner diameters
of the fixing pipes. As such, there is no choice but to use the products
with the existing sizes. In this study, the existing design process of the
fixing pipe, is a type of guide pipe anchor in the cable anchor system,
is reviewed, a formula determining the thickness of the fixing pipe is
proposed, and the convenience and validity of the suggested equation
is compared with the results of the existing designs to verify its
convenience and validity.
Abstract: Aluminothermic rail welding was from the beginning
a great success because its low price even in 1895 in Germany. This
method is now, widely used all over the world for the railways
construction, maintenance and modernization. Instructions give you
guidelines for preparing papers for conferences or journals.
After 1989, the welding needs of the potentials beneficiaries
(Romanian Railways, Urban Transportation Companies) keep raise
because of the railways maintenance and modernization necessity.
The main materials that determine the Thermit (T) composition
result from manufacturing scraps all over the country. This can help
the environment by consuming these scraps.
The Romanian need for alumino-thermic welding is now by 11300
per year, and in a favourable economical environment, this amount
can reach 30000 units.
This paper tries to show the effect of two types of modifiers
introduced in the T composition on the structure and properties of an
alumino-thermic welding.
Abstract: Within the collaborative research center 666 a new
product development approach and the innovative manufacturing
method of linear flow splitting are being developed. So far the design process is supported by 3D-CAD models utilizing User Defined
Features in standard CAD-Systems. This paper now presents new
functions for generating 3D-models of integral sheet metal products with bifurcations using Siemens PLM NX 6. The emphasis is placed
on design and semi-automated insertion of User Defined Features.
Therefore User Defined Features for both, linear flow splitting
and its derivative linear bend splitting, were developed. In order to facilitate the modeling process, an application was developed
that guides through the insertion process. Its usability and dialog layout adapt known standard features. The work presented here has
significant implications on the quality, accurateness and efficiency of the product generation process of sheet metal products with higher
order bifurcations.
Abstract: This paper presents a watermarking protocol able to
solve the well-known “customer-s right problem" and “unbinding
problem". In particular, the protocol has been purposely designed
to be adopted in a web context, where users wanting to buy digital
contents are usually neither provided with digital certificates issued
by certification authorities (CAs) nor able to autonomously perform
specific security actions. Furthermore, the protocol enables users to
keep their identities unexposed during web transactions as well as
allows guilty buyers, i.e. who are responsible distributors of illegal
replicas, to be unambiguously identified. Finally, the protocol has
been designed so that web content providers (CPs) can exploit
copyright protection services supplied by web service providers (SPs)
in a security context. Thus, CPs can take advantage of complex
services without having to directly implement them.
Abstract: Risk management is an essential fraction of project management, which plays a significant role in project success. Many failures associated with Web projects are the consequences of poor awareness of the risks involved and lack of process models that can serve as a guideline for the development of Web based applications. To circumvent this problem, contemporary process models have been devised for the development of conventional software. This paper introduces the WPRiMA (Web Project Risk Management Assessment) as the tool, which is used to implement RIAP, the risk identification architecture pattern model, which focuses upon the data from the proprietor-s and vendor-s perspectives. The paper also illustrates how WPRiMA tool works and how it can be used to calculate the risk level for a given Web project, to generate recommendations in order to facilitate risk avoidance in a project, and to improve the prospects of early risk management.
Abstract: In this paper, we will implement three-dimensional pursuit guidance law with feedback linearization control method and study the effects of parameters. First, we introduce guidance laws and equations of motion of a missile. Pursuit guidance law is our highlight. We apply feedback linearization control method to obtain the accelerations to implement pursuit guidance law. The solution makes warhead direction follow with line-of-sight. Final, the simulation results show that the exact solution derived in this paper is correct and some factors e.g. control gain, time delay, are important to implement pursuit guidance law.
Abstract: The paper provides a numerical investigation of the
entropy generation analysis due to natural convection in an inclined
square porous cavity. The coupled equations of mass, momentum,
energy and species conservation are solved using the Control Volume
Finite-Element Method. Effect of medium permeability and
inclination angle on entropy generation is analysed. It was found that
according to the Darcy number and the porous thermal Raleigh
number values, the entropy generation could be mainly due to heat
transfer or to fluid friction irreversibility and that entropy generation
reaches extremum values for specific inclination angles.
Abstract: In a none-super-competitive environment the concepts
of closed system, management control remains to be the dominant
guiding concept to management. The merits of closed loop have been
the sources of most of the management literature and culture for
many decades. It is a useful exercise to investigate and poke into the
dynamics of the control loop phenomenon and draws some lessons to
use for refining the practice of management. This paper examines the
multitude of lessons abstracted from the behavior of the Input /output
/feedback control loop model, which is the core of control theory.
There are numerous lessons that can be learned from the insights this
model would provide and how it parallels the management dynamics
of the organization. It is assumed that an organization is basically a
living system that interacts with the internal and external variables. A
viable control loop is the one that reacts to the variation in the
environment and provide or exert a corrective action. In managing
organizations this is reflected in organizational structure and
management control practices. This paper will report findings that
were a result of examining several abstract scenarios that are
exhibited in the design, operation, and dynamics of the control loop
and how they are projected on the functioning of the organization.
Valuable lessons are drawn in trying to find parallels and new
paradigms, and how the control theory science is reflected in the
design of the organizational structure and management practices. The
paper is structured in a logical and perceptive format. Further
research is needed to extend these findings.
Abstract: The importance for manipulating an incorporated
scaffold and directing cell behaviors is well appreciated for tissue
engineering. Here, we developed newly nano-topographic oxidized
silicon nanosponges capable of being various chemical modifications
to provide much insight into the fundamental biology of how cells
interact with their surrounding environment in vitro. A wet etching
technique is exerted to allow us fabricated the silicon nanosponges in a
high-throughput manner. Furthermore, various organo-silane
chemicals enabled self-assembled on the surfaces by vapor deposition.
We have found that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells displayed
certain distinguishable morphogenesis, adherent responses, and
biochemical properties while cultured on these chemical modified
nano-topographic structures in compared with the planar oxidized
silicon counterparts, indicating that cell behaviors can be influenced
by certain physical characteristic derived from nano-topography in
addition to the hydrophobicity of contact surfaces crucial for cell
adhesion and spreading. Of particular, there were predominant
nano-actin punches and slender protrusions formed while cells were
cultured on the nano-topographic structures. This study shed potential
applications of these nano-topographic biomaterials for controlling
cell development in tissue engineering or basic cell biology research.
Abstract: The efficacy of the separate mixing of four tropical spicy and medicinal plant products: Dennettia tripetala Baker (pepper fruit), Eugenia aromatica Hook (clove), Piper guineense (Schum and Thonn) (black pepper) and Monodora myristica (Dunal) (African nut-meg) with a household vegetable oil was evaluated under tropical storage conditions for the control and reproductive performance of Dermestes maculatus (De Geer) (hide beetle) and Necroba rufipes (De Geer) (copra beetle) on African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell). Each of the plant materials was pulverized into powder and applied as a mix of 1ml of oil and plant powder at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0g per 100g of dried fish, and allowed to dry for 6h. Each of the four oil-mixed powder treatments evoked significant (P < 05) mortalities of the two insects compared with the control (oil only) at 1, 3 and 7 days post treatment. The oil-powder mixture dosages did not prevent insect egg hatchability but while the emergent larvae on the treated samples died, the emergent larvae in the control survived into adults. The application of oil-mixed powders effectively suppressed the emergence of the larvae of the beetles. Similarly, each of the oil-powder mixtures significantly reduced weight loss in smoked fish that were exposed to D. maculatus and N. rufipes when compared to the control (P < 05). The results of this study suggest that the plant powders rather than the domestic oil demonstrated protective ability against the fish beetles and confirm the efficacy of the plant products as pest control agents.
Abstract: Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is the engine
driving high-throughput protein identification. Protein mixtures possibly
representing thousands of proteins from multiple species are
treated with proteolytic enzymes, cutting the proteins into smaller
peptides that are then analyzed generating MS/MS spectra. The
task of determining the identity of the peptide from its spectrum
is currently the weak point in the process. Current approaches to de
novo sequencing are able to compute candidate peptides efficiently.
The problem lies in the limitations of current scoring functions. In this
paper we introduce the concept of proteome signature. By examining
proteins and compiling proteome signatures (amino acid usage) it is
possible to characterize likely combinations of amino acids and better
distinguish between candidate peptides. Our results strongly support
the hypothesis that a scoring function that considers amino acid usage
patterns is better able to distinguish between candidate peptides. This
in turn leads to higher accuracy in peptide prediction.
Abstract: This paper describes a system, in which various methods of text summarizing can be adapted to Polish. A structure of the system is presented. A modular construction of the system and access to the system via the Internet are signaled.
Abstract: The primary objective of this research is to improve the flexural capacity of FRP strengthened RC Beam structures with Aluminum and Titanium laminates. FRP rupture of flexural strengthened RC beams using FRP plates generally occurs at the interface between FRP plate and the beam. Therefore, in order to prevent brittle rupture and improve the ductility of the system, this research was performed by using Aluminum and Titanium materials between the two different structural systems. The research also aims to provide various strengthening/retrofitting methods for RC beam structures and to conduct a preliminary analysis of the demands on the structural systems. This was achieved by estimation using the experimental data from this research to identify a flexural capacity for the systems. Ultimately, the preliminary analysis of current study showed that the flexural capacity and system demand ductility was significantly improved by the systems inserted with Aluminum and Titanium anchor plates. Further verification of the experimental research is currently on its way to develop a new or reliable design guideline to retrofit/strengthen the concrete-FRP structural system can be evaluated.
Abstract: In this paper we study the resource allocation problem
for an OFDMA based cooperative two-way relaying (TWR) network.
We focus on amplify and forward (AF) analog network coding
(ANC) protocol. An optimization problem for two basic resources
namely, sub-carrier and power is formulated for multi-user TWR
networks. A joint optimal optimization problem is investigated and
two-step low complexity sub-optimal resource allocation algorithm is
proposed for multi-user TWR networks with ANC protocol. The
proposed algorithm has been evaluated in term of total achievable
system sum-rate and achievable individual sum-rate for each userpair.
The good tradeoff between system sum-rate and fairness is
observed in the two-step proportional resource allocation scheme.