Abstract: Antibacterial activity of Plumeria alba (Frangipani)
petals methanolic extracts were evaluated against Escherichia coli,
Proteus vulgaris,Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus saprophyticus,
Enterococcus faecalis and Serratia marcescens by using disk
diffusion method. Concentration extracts (80 %) showed the highest
inhibition zone towards Escherichia coli (14.3 mm). Frangipani
extract also showed high antibacterial activity against
Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Proteus vulgaris and Serratia
marcescens, but not more than the zones of the positive control used.
Comparison between two broad specrum antibiotics to frangipani
extracts showed that the 80 % concentration extracts produce the
same zone of inhibition as Streptomycin. Frangipani extracts showed
no bacterial activity towards Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis. There are differences in the
sensitivity of different bacteria to frangipani extracts, suggesting that
frangipani-s potency varies between these bacteria. The present
results indicate that frangipani showed significant antibacterial
activity especially to Escherichia coli.
Abstract: Clustering algorithms are attractive for the task of class identification in spatial databases. However, the application to large spatial databases rises the following requirements for clustering algorithms: minimal requirements of domain knowledge to determine the input parameters, discovery of clusters with arbitrary shape and good efficiency on large databases. The well-known clustering algorithms offer no solution to the combination of these requirements. In this paper, a density based clustering algorithm (DCBRD) is presented, relying on a knowledge acquired from the data by dividing the data space into overlapped regions. The proposed algorithm discovers arbitrary shaped clusters, requires no input parameters and uses the same definitions of DBSCAN algorithm. We performed an experimental evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of it, and compared this results with that of DBSCAN. The results of our experiments demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is significantly efficient in discovering clusters of arbitrary shape and size.
Abstract: Stormwater wetlands have been mainly designed in an
empirical approach for water quality improvement, with little
quantitative understanding of the internal microbial processes. This
study investigated into heterotrophic bacterial production rate,
heterotrophic bacterial mineralization percentage, and algal biomass
in hypertrophic and eutrophic surface flow stormwater wetlands.
Compared to a nearby wood leachate treatment wetland, the
stormwater wetlands had much higher chlorophyll-a concentrations.
The eutrophic stormwater wetland had improved water quality,
whereas the hypertrophic stormwater wetland had degraded water
quality. Heterotrophic bacterial activities in water were limited in the
stormwater wetlands due to competition of algal growth for nutrients.
The relative contribution of biofilms to the overall heterotrophic
activities was higher in the stormwater wetlands than that in the wood
leachate treatment wetland.
Abstract: An algorithm for estimating the disparity of objects of
interest is proposed. This algorithm uses image shifting and
overlapping area to estimate the disparity value; thereby depth of the
objects of interest can be obtained. The algorithm is able to perform
at different levels of accuracy. However, as the accuracy increases
the processing speed decreases. The algorithm is tested with static
stereo images and sequence of stereo images. The experimental
results are presented in this paper.
Abstract: The quality of a machined surface is becoming more and more important to justify the increasing demands of sophisticated component performance, longevity, and reliability. Usually, any machining operation leaves its own characteristic evidence on the machined surface in the form of finely spaced micro irregularities (surface roughness) left by the associated indeterministic characteristics of the different elements of the system: tool-machineworkpart- cutting parameters. However, one of the most influential sources in machining affecting surface roughness is the instantaneous state of tool edge. The main objective of the current work is to relate the in-process immeasurable cutting edge deformation and surface roughness to a more reliable easy-to-measure force signals using a robust non-linear time-dependent modeling regression techniques. Time-dependent modeling is beneficial when modern machining systems, such as adaptive control techniques are considered, where the state of the machined surface and the health of the cutting edge are monitored, assessed and controlled online using realtime information provided by the variability encountered in the measured force signals. Correlation between wear propagation and roughness variation is developed throughout the different edge lifetimes. The surface roughness is further evaluated in the light of the variation in both the static and the dynamic force signals. Consistent correlation is found between surface roughness variation and tool wear progress within its initial and constant regions. At the first few seconds of cutting, expected and well known trend of the effect of the cutting parameters is observed. Surface roughness is positively influenced by the level of the feed rate and negatively by the cutting speed. As cutting continues, roughness is affected, to different extents, by the rather localized wear modes either on the tool nose or on its flank areas. Moreover, it seems that roughness varies as wear attitude transfers from one mode to another and, in general, it is shown that it is improved as wear increases but with possible corresponding workpart dimensional inaccuracy. The dynamic force signals are found reasonably sensitive to simulate either the progressive or the random modes of tool edge deformation. While the frictional force components, feeding and radial, are found informative regarding progressive wear modes, the vertical (power) components is found more representative carrier to system instability resulting from the edge-s random deformation.
Abstract: Statistical selection procedures are used to select the
best simulated system from a finite set of alternatives. In this paper,
we present a procedure that can be used to select the best system
when the number of alternatives is large. The proposed procedure
consists a combination between Ranking and Selection, and Ordinal
Optimization procedures. In order to improve the performance of Ordinal
Optimization, Optimal Computing Budget Allocation technique
is used to determine the best simulation lengths for all simulation
systems and to reduce the total computation time. We also argue
the effect of increment in simulation samples for the combined
procedure. The results of numerical illustration show clearly the effect
of increment in simulation samples on the proposed combination of
selection procedure.
Abstract: A method is presented for the construction of arbitrary
even-input sorting networks exhibiting better properties than the
networks created using a conventional technique of the same type.
The method was discovered by means of a genetic algorithm combined
with an application-specific development. Similarly to human
inventions in the area of theoretical computer science, the evolved
invention was analyzed: its generality was proven and area and time
complexities were determined.
Abstract: Fick's second law equations for unsteady state
diffusion of salt into the potato tissues were solved numerically. The
set of equations resulted from implicit modeling were solved using
Thomas method to find the salt concentration profiles in solid phase.
The needed effective diffusivity and equilibrium distribution
coefficient were determined experimentally. Cylindrical samples of
potato were infused with aqueous NaCl solutions of 1-3%
concentrations, and variations in salt concentrations of brine were
determined over time. Solute concentrations profiles of samples were
determined by measuring salt uptake of potato slices. For the studied
conditions, equilibrium distribution coefficients were found to be
dependent on salt concentrations, whereas the effective diffusivity
was slightly affected by brine concentration.
Abstract: There is a growing body of evidence to support the
proposition of product take back for remanufacturing particularly
within the context of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Remanufacturing however presents challenges unlike that of
traditional manufacturing environments due to its high levels of
uncertainty which may further distract organizations from
considering its potential benefits. This paper presents a novel
modeling approach for evaluating the uncertainty of part failures
within the remanufacturing process and its impact on economic and
environmental performance measures. This paper presents both the
theoretical modeling approach and an example of its use in
application.
Abstract: Guard channels improve the probability of successful
handoffs by reserving a number of channels exclusively for handoffs.
This concept has the risk of underutilization of radio spectrum due to
the fact that fewer channels are granted to originating calls even if
these guard channels are not always used, when originating calls are
starving for the want of channels. The penalty is the reduction of
total carried traffic. The optimum number of guard channels can help
reduce this problem. This paper presents fuzzy logic based guard
channel scheme wherein guard channels are reorganized on the basis
of traffic density, so that guard channels are provided on need basis.
This will help in incorporating more originating calls and hence high
throughput of the radio spectrum
Abstract: In this paper, some problem formulations of dynamic object parameters recovery described by non-autonomous system of ordinary differential equations with multipoint unshared edge conditions are investigated. Depending on the number of additional conditions the problem is reduced to an algebraic equations system or to a problem of quadratic programming. With this purpose the paper offers a new scheme of the edge conditions transfer method called by conditions shift. The method permits to get rid from differential links and multipoint unshared initially-edge conditions. The advantage of the proposed approach is concluded by capabilities of reduction of a parametric identification problem to essential simple problems of the solution of an algebraic system or quadratic programming.
Abstract: This paper presents the utilizing of ferroelectric
material on antenna application. There are two different ferroelectric
had been used on the proposed antennas which include of Barium
Strontium Titanate (BST) and Bismuth Titanate (BiT), suitable for
Access Points operating in the WLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g and WiMAX
IEEE 802.16 within the range of 2.3 GHz to 2.5 GHz application.
BST, which had been tested to own a dielectric constant of εr = 15
while BiT has a dielectric constant that higher than BST which is εr =
21 and both materials are in rectangular shaped. The influence of
various parameters on antenna characteristics were investigated
extensively using commercial electromagnetic simulations software
by Communication Simulation Technology (CST). From theoretical
analysis and simulation results, it was demonstrated that ferroelectric
material used have not only improved the directive emission but also
enhanced the radiation efficiency.
Abstract: The extract of milk thistle contains a mix of flavonolignans termed silymarine.. In order to analysis influence of growth regulators, genotype, explant and subculture on the accumulation of flavonolignans, a study was carried out by using two genotype (Budakalszi and Noor abad moghan cultivars), cotyledon and hypocotyle explants, solid media of MS supplemented by different combinations of two growth regulators; Kinetin (0.1, 1 mg/l) and 2,4-D (1, 2 mg/l). Seeds of the plant were germinated in MS media whitout growth regulators in growth chamber at 26°C and darkness condition. In order to callus induction, the culture media was supplemented whit different concentrations of 2,4-D and kinetin. Calli obtained from explants were sub-cultured four times into the fresh media of the first experiment. flavonoides was extracted from calli in four subcultures. The flavonoid components were determined by high- performance liquid choromatography (HPLC) and separated into Taxifolin, Silydianin+Silychristin, Silybin A+B and Isosilybin A+B. Results showed that with increasing callus age, increased accumulation of silybin A+B, but reduced Isosilybin A+B content. Highest accumulation of Taxifolin was observed at first calli. Calli produced from cotyledon explant of Budakalszi cultivar were superior for Silybin A+B, where calli from hypocotyl explant produced higher amount of Taxifolin and Silydianin+Silychristin. The best cultivar for Silymarin production in this study was Budakalszi cultivar. High amount of SBN A+B and TXF were obtained from hypocotil explant.
Abstract: Extracellular ubiquitin in vivo effect on regenerative liver cells and liver histoarchitectonics has been studied. Experiments were performed on mature female white rats. Partial hepatectomy was made using the modified method of Higgins and Anderson. Standard histopathological assessment of liver tissue was used. Proliferative activity of hepatocytes was analyzed by colchicine mitotic index and immunohistochemical staining on ki67. We have found that regardless of number of injections and dose of extracellular ubiquitin liver histology has not been changed, so at tissue level no effect was observed. In vivo double injection of ubiquitin significantly decreases the mitotic activity at 32 hour point after partial hepatectomy. Thus, we can conclude that in vivo injected extracellular ubiquitin inhibits proliferative activity of hepatocytes in partially hepatectomyzed rats.
Abstract: In this paper we propose an enhanced equalization technique for multi-carrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA). This method is based on the control of Equal Gain Combining (EGC) technique. Indeed, we introduce a new level changer to the EGC equalizer in order to adapt the equalization parameters to the channel coefficients. The optimal equalization level is, first, determined by channel training. The new approach reduces drastically the mutliuser interferences caused by interferes, without increasing the noise power. To compare the performances of the proposed equalizer, the theoretical analysis and numerical performances are given.
Abstract: This paper describes a novel and effective approach to content-based image retrieval (CBIR) that represents each image in the database by a vector of feature values called “Standard deviation of mean vectors of color distribution of rows and columns of images for CBIR". In many areas of commerce, government, academia, and hospitals, large collections of digital images are being created. This paper describes the approach that uses contents as feature vector for retrieval of similar images. There are several classes of features that are used to specify queries: colour, texture, shape, spatial layout. Colour features are often easily obtained directly from the pixel intensities. In this paper feature extraction is done for the texture descriptor that is 'variance' and 'Variance of Variances'. First standard deviation of each row and column mean is calculated for R, G, and B planes. These six values are obtained for one image which acts as a feature vector. Secondly we calculate variance of the row and column of R, G and B planes of an image. Then six standard deviations of these variance sequences are calculated to form a feature vector of dimension six. We applied our approach to a database of 300 BMP images. We have determined the capability of automatic indexing by analyzing image content: color and texture as features and by applying a similarity measure Euclidean distance.
Abstract: A method for solving linear and non-linear Goursat
problem is given by using the two-dimensional differential transform
method. The approximate solution of this problem is calculated in
the form of a series with easily computable terms and also the exact
solutions can be achieved by the known forms of the series solutions.
The method can easily be applied to many linear and non-linear
problems and is capable of reducing the size of computational work.
Several examples are given to demonstrate the reliability and the
performance of the presented method.
Abstract: For maintenance of a spine stability during the
postoperative period a transpedicular fixing of its elements is often
used. Usually the transpedicular systems are formed of rods which as
a result form a design of the frame type, fastening by screws to
vertebras. Such design should be rigid and perceive loadings
operating from the spine without essential deformations. From the
perfection point of view of known designs their stress
whole, and each of elements, in particular is of interest. In this study
the modeling of the transpedicular screw is performed and
estimation of its deformations taking into account interaction with a
vertebra body having variable structure is made.
Abstract: Data mining is an extraordinarily demanding field referring to extraction of implicit knowledge and relationships, which are not explicitly stored in databases. A wide variety of methods of data mining have been introduced (classification, characterization, generalization...). Each one of these methods includes more than algorithm. A system of data mining implies different user categories,, which mean that the user-s behavior must be a component of the system. The problem at this level is to know which algorithm of which method to employ for an exploratory end, which one for a decisional end, and how can they collaborate and communicate. Agent paradigm presents a new way of conception and realizing of data mining system. The purpose is to combine different algorithms of data mining to prepare elements for decision-makers, benefiting from the possibilities offered by the multi-agent systems. In this paper the agent framework for data mining is introduced, and its overall architecture and functionality are presented. The validation is made on spatial data. Principal results will be presented.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel method for data hiding based on neighborhood pixels information to calculate the number of bits that can be used for substitution and modified Least Significant Bits technique for data embedding. The modified solution is independent of the nature of the data to be hidden and gives correct results along with un-noticeable image degradation. The technique, to find the number of bits that can be used for data hiding, uses the green component of the image as it is less sensitive to human eye and thus it is totally impossible for human eye to predict whether the image is encrypted or not. The application further encrypts the data using a custom designed algorithm before embedding bits into image for further security. The overall process consists of three main modules namely embedding, encryption and extraction cm.