Abstract: We investigated the effects of modified
preprogrammed training mode Chase Trainer from Balance Trainer
(BT3, HurLab, Tampere, Finland) on athlete who experienced
unilateral Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). Twenty-seven
athletes with mean age= 14.23 ±1.31 years, height = 164.89 ± 7.85
cm, weight = 56.94 ± 9.28 kg were randomly assigned to two groups:
experiment (EG; n = 14) and injured (IG; n = 13). EG performed a
series of Chase Trainer program which required them to shift their
body weight at different directions, speeds and angle of leaning twice
a week for duration of 8 weeks. The static postural control and
perceived pain level measures were taken at baseline, after 6 weeks
and 8 weeks of training. There was no significant difference in any of
tested variables between EG and IG before and after 6-week the
intervention period. However, after 8-week of training, the postural
control (eyes open) and perceived pain level of EG improved
compared to IG (p
Abstract: Existing experiences indicate that one of the most
prominent reasons that some ERP implementations fail is related to
selecting an improper ERP package. Among those important factors
resulting in inappropriate ERP selections, one is to ignore preliminary
activities that should be done before the evaluation of ERP packages.
Another factor yielding these unsuitable selections is that usually
organizations employ prolonged and costly selection processes in
such extent that sometimes the process would never be finalized
or sometimes the evaluation team might perform many key final
activities in an incomplete or inaccurate way due to exhaustion, lack
of interest or out-of-date data. In this paper, a systematic approach
that recommends some activities to be done before and after the
main selection phase is introduced for choosing an ERP package. On
the other hand, the proposed approach has utilized some ideas that
accelerates the selection process at the same time that reduces the
probability of an erroneous final selection.
Abstract: We present a dextran modified silicon microring
resonator sensor for high density antibody immobilization. An array
of sensors consisting of three sensor rings and a reference ring was
fabricated and its surface sensitivity and the limit of detection were
obtained using polyelectrolyte multilayers. The mass sensitivity and
the limit of detection of the fabricated sensor ring are 0.35 nm/ng
mm-2 and 42.8 pg/mm2 in air, respectively. Dextran modified sensor
surface was successfully prepared by covalent grafting of oxidized
dextran on 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) modified silicon
sensor surface. The antibody immobilization on hydrogel dextran
matrix improves 40% compared to traditional antibody
immobilization method via APTES and glutaraldehyde linkage.
Abstract: This paper presents a vocoder to obtain high quality synthetic speech at 600 bps. To reduce the bit rate, the algorithm is based on a sinusoidally excited linear prediction model which extracts few coding parameters, and three consecutive frames are grouped into a superframe and jointly vector quantization is used to obtain high coding efficiency. The inter-frame redundancy is exploited with distinct quantization schemes for different unvoiced/voiced frame combinations in the superframe. Experimental results show that the quality of the proposed coder is better than that of 2.4kbps LPC10e and achieves approximately the same as that of 2.4kbps MELP and with high robustness.
Abstract: This work proposes an accurate crosstalk noise estimation method in the presence of multiple RLC lines for the use in design automation tools. This method correctly models the loading effects of non switching aggressors and aggressor tree branches using resistive shielding effect and realistic exponential input waveforms. Noise peak and width expressions have been derived. The results obtained are at good agreement with SPICE results. Results show that average error for noise peak is 4.7% and for the width is 6.15% while allowing a very fast analysis.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to present a research
study of the convectors that are used for heating or cooling of the
living room or industrial halls. The key points are experimental
measurement and comprehensive numerical simulation of the flow
coming throughout the part of the convector such as heat exchanger,
input from the fan etc.. From the obtained results, the components of
the convector are optimized in sense to increase thermal power
efficiency due to improvement of heat convection or reduction of air
drag friction. Both optimized aspects are leading to the more
effective service conditions and to energy saving. The significant part
of the convector research is a design of the unique measurement
laboratory and adopting measure techniques. The new laboratory
provides possibility to measure thermal power efficiency and other
relevant parameters under specific service conditions of the
convectors.
Abstract: The batch nature limits the standard kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) methods in numerous applications, especially for dynamic or large-scale data. In this paper, an efficient adaptive approach is presented for online extraction of the kernel principal components (KPC). The contribution of this paper may be divided into two parts. First, kernel covariance matrix is correctly updated to adapt to the changing characteristics of data. Second, KPC are recursively formulated to overcome the batch nature of standard KPCA.This formulation is derived from the recursive eigen-decomposition of kernel covariance matrix and indicates the KPC variation caused by the new data. The proposed method not only alleviates sub-optimality of the KPCA method for non-stationary data, but also maintains constant update speed and memory usage as the data-size increases. Experiments for simulation data and real applications demonstrate that our approach yields improvements in terms of both computational speed and approximation accuracy.
Abstract: Collateralized Debt Obligations are not as widely used
nowadays as they were before 2007 Subprime crisis. Nonetheless
there remains an enthralling challenge to optimize cash flows
associated with synthetic CDOs. A Gaussian-based model is used
here in which default correlation and unconditional probabilities of
default are highlighted. Then numerous simulations are performed
based on this model for different scenarios in order to evaluate the
associated cash flows given a specific number of defaults at different
periods of time. Cash flows are not solely calculated on a single
bought or sold tranche but rather on a combination of bought and
sold tranches. With some assumptions, the simplex algorithm gives
a way to find the maximum cash flow according to correlation of
defaults and maturities. The used Gaussian model is not realistic in
crisis situations. Besides present system does not handle buying or
selling a portion of a tranche but only the whole tranche. However the
work provides the investor with relevant elements on how to know
what and when to buy and sell.
Abstract: CDMA cellular networks support soft handover,
which guarantees the continuity of wireless services and enhanced
communication quality. Cellular networks support multimedia
services under varied propagation environmental conditions. In this
paper, we have shown the effect of characteristic parameters of the
cellular environments on the soft handover performance. We
consider path loss exponent, standard deviation of shadow fading and
correlation coefficient of shadow fading as the characteristic
parameters of the radio propagation environment. A very useful
statistical measure for characterizing the performance of mobile radio
system is the probability of outage. It is shown through numerical
results that above parameters have decisive effect on the probability
of outage and hence the overall performance of the soft handover
algorithm.
Abstract: Purpose: Planning and dosimetry of different VMAT algorithms (SmartArc, Ergo++, Autobeam) is compared with IMRT for Head and Neck Cancer patients. Modelling was performed to rule out the causes of discrepancies between planned and delivered dose. Methods: Five HNC patients previously treated with IMRT were re-planned with SmartArc (SA), Ergo++ and Autobeam. Plans were compared with each other and against IMRT and evaluated using DVHs for PTVs and OARs, delivery time, monitor units (MU) and dosimetric accuracy. Modelling of control point (CP) spacing, Leaf-end Separation and MLC/Aperture shape was performed to rule out causes of discrepancies between planned and delivered doses. Additionally estimated arc delivery times, overall plan generation times and effect of CP spacing and number of arcs on plan generation times were recorded. Results: Single arc SmartArc plans (SA4d) were generally better than IMRT and double arc plans (SA2Arcs) in terms of homogeneity and target coverage. Double arc plans seemed to have a positive role in achieving improved Conformity Index (CI) and better sparing of some Organs at Risk (OARs) compared to Step and Shoot IMRT (ss-IMRT) and SA4d. Overall Ergo++ plans achieved best CI for both PTVs. Dosimetric validation of all VMAT plans without modelling was found to be lower than ss-IMRT. Total MUs required for delivery were on average 19%, 30%, 10.6% and 6.5% lower than ss-IMRT for SA4d, SA2d (Single arc with 20 Gantry Spacing), SA2Arcs and Autobeam plans respectively. Autobeam was most efficient in terms of actual treatment delivery times whereas Ergo++ plans took longest to deliver. Conclusion: Overall SA single arc plans on average achieved best target coverage and homogeneity for both PTVs. SA2Arc plans showed improved CI and some OARs sparing. Very good dosimetric results were achieved with modelling. Ergo++ plans achieved best CI. Autobeam resulted in fastest treatment delivery times.
Abstract: E-learning refers to the specific kind of learning
experienced within the domain of educational technology, which can
be used in or out of the classroom. In this paper, we give an
overview of an e-learning platform 'An Innovative Interactive and
Online English Platform for Upper Primary Students' is an
interactive web-based application which will serve as an aid to the
primary school students in Mauritius. The objectives of this platform
are to offer quality learning resources for the English subject at our
primary level of education, encourage self-learning and hence
promote e-learning. The platform developed consists of several
interesting features, for example, the English Verb Conjugation tool,
Negative Form tool, Interrogative Form tool and Close Test
Generator. Thus, this learning platform will be useful at a time
where our country is looking for an alternative to private tuition and
also, looking forward to increase the pass rate.
Abstract: This paper presents a large scale, quantitative investigation of the impact of discipline differences on the student experience of using an online learning environment (OLE). Based on a representative sample of 2526 respondents, a number of significant differences in the mean rating by broad discipline area of the importance of, and satisfaction with, a range of elements of an OLE were found. Broadly speaking, the Arts and Science and Technology discipline areas reported the lowest importance and satisfaction ratings for the OLE, while the Health and Behavioural Sciences area was the most satisfied with the OLE. A number of specific, systematic discipline differences are reported and discussed. Compared to the observed significant differences in mean importance ratings, there were fewer significant differences in mean satisfaction ratings, and those that were observed were less systematic than for importance ratings.
Abstract: Variations in the growth rate constant of the Listeria
monocytogenes bacterial species were determined at 37°C in
irradiated environments and compared to the situation of a nonirradiated
environment. The bacteria cells, contained in a suspension
made of a nutrient solution of Brain Heart Infusion, were made to
grow at different frequency (2.30e2.60 GHz) and power (0e400
mW) values, in a plug flow reactor positioned in the irradiated
environment. Then the reacting suspension was made to pass into a
cylindrical cuvette where its optical density was read every 2.5
minutes at a wavelength of 600 nm. The obtained experimental data
of optical density vs. time allowed the bacterial growth rate constant
to be derived; this was found to be slightly influenced by microwave
power, but not by microwave frequency; in particular, a minimum
value was found for powers in the 50e150 mW field.
Abstract: The V-notches are most possible case for initiation of cracks in parts. The specifications of cracks on the tip of the notch will be influenced via opening angle, tip radius and depth of V-notch. In this study, the effects of V-notch-s opening angle on stress intensity factor and T-stress of crack on the notch has been investigated. The experiment has been done in different opening angles and various crack length in mode (I) loading using Photoelasticity method. The results illustrate that while angle increases in constant crack-s length, SIF and T-stress will decrease. Beside, the effect of V-notch angle in short crack is more than long crack. These V-notch affects are negligible by increasing the length of crack, and the crack-s behavior can be considered as a single-edge crack specimen. Finally, the results have been evaluated with numerical finite element analysis and good agreement was obvious.
Abstract: Today global warming, climate change and energy supply are of greater concern as it is widely realized that the planet earth does not provide an infinite capacity for absorbing human industrialization in the 21st century. The aim of this paper is to analyze upstream and downstream electricity production in selected case studies: a coal power plant, a pump system and a microwave oven covering and consumption to explore the position of energy efficiency in engineering sustainability. Collectively, the analysis presents energy efficiency as a major pathway towards sustainability that requires an inclusive and a holistic supply chain response in the engineering design process.
Abstract: This research examines possible effects of climatic
change focusing on global warming and its impacts on world
agricultural product markets, by using a world food model developed
to consider climate changes. GDP and population for each scenario
were constructed by IPCC and climate data for each scenario was
reported by the Hadley Center and are used in this research to consider
results in different contexts. Production and consumption of primary
agriculture crops of the world for each socio-economic scenario are
obtained and investigated by using the modified world food model.
Simulation results show that crop production in some countries or
regions will have different trends depending on the context. These
alternative contexts depend on the rate of GDP growth, population,
temperature, and rainfall. Results suggest that the development of
environment friendly technologies lead to more consumption of food
in many developing countries. Relationships among environmental
policy, clean energy development, and poverty elimination warrant
further investigation.
Abstract: A systematic and exhaustive method based on the group
structure of a unitary Lie algebra is proposed to generate an enormous
number of quantum codes. With respect to the algebraic structure,
the orthogonality condition, which is the central rule of generating
quantum codes, is proved to be fully equivalent to the distinguishability
of the elements in this structure. In addition, four types of
quantum codes are classified according to the relation of the codeword
operators and some initial quantum state. By linking the unitary Lie
algebra with the additive group, the classical correspondences of some
of these quantum codes can be rendered.
Abstract: Aspect Oriented Programming promises many
advantages at programming level by incorporating the cross cutting
concerns into separate units, called aspects. Join Points are
distinguishing features of Aspect Oriented Programming as they
define the points where core requirements and crosscutting concerns
are (inter)connected. Currently, there is a problem of multiple
aspects- composition at the same join point, which introduces the
issues like ordering and controlling of these superimposed aspects.
Dynamic strategies are required to handle these issues as early as
possible. State chart is an effective modeling tool to capture dynamic
behavior at high level design. This paper provides methodology to
formulate the strategies for multiple aspect composition at high level,
which helps to better implement these strategies at coding level. It
also highlights the need of designing shared join point at high level,
by providing the solutions of these issues using state chart diagrams
in UML 2.0. High level design representation of shared join points
also helps to implement the designed strategy in systematic way.
Abstract: Visible Light Communication (VLC) offers advantages of low energy consumption, licence free and RF interference free operation. One application area for VLC is in the provision of health centred services circumventing issues of interference with any biomedical device within the environment. VLC performamce is affected by natural light restricting systems avilability and relibility. The paper presents an analysis of the performance of VLC systems under different meteorological conditions. The evaluation considered the impact of natural light as a function of different reflection surfaces in different room sizes.
Abstract: In the competitive environment of aircraft industries it becomes absolutely necessary to improve the efficiency, performance of the aircrafts to reduce the development and operating costs considerably, in order to capitalize the market. An important contribution to improve the efficiency and performance can be
achieved by decreasing the aircraft weight through considerable
usage of composite materials in primary aircraft structures. In this study, a type of composite material called Carbon Fiber Reinforced
Plastic (CFRP) is explored for the usage is aircraft skin panels. Even
though there were plenty of studies and research has been already
carried out, here a practical example of an aircraft skin panel is taken
and substantiated the benefits of composites material usage over the
metallic skin panel. A crown skin panel of a commercial aircraft is
designed using both metal and composite materials. Stress analysis
has been carried out for both and margin of safety is estimated for the
critical load cases. The skin panels are compared for manufacturing,
tooling, assembly and cost parameters. Detail step by step comparison between metal and composite constructions are studied
and results are tabulated for better understanding.