Abstract: This paper proposes a vehicle-to-vehicle propagation
model implemented with SDL. To estimate the channel
characteristics for Inter-Vehicle communication, we first define a
predicted propagation pathloss between the moving vehicles under
three typical scenarios. A Ray-tracing method is used for the simple
gamma model performance.
Abstract: Salient points are frequently used to represent local
properties of the image in content-based image retrieval. In this paper,
we present a reduction algorithm that extracts the local most salient
points such that they not only give a satisfying representation of an
image, but also make the image retrieval process efficiently. This
algorithm recursively reduces the continuous point set by their
corresponding saliency values under a top-down approach. The
resulting salient points are evaluated with an image retrieval system
using Hausdoff distance. In this experiment, it shows that our method
is robust and the extracted salient points provide better retrieval
performance comparing with other point detectors.
Abstract: Various assisted reproductive techniques have been
developed and refined to obtain a large number of offspring from
genetically superior animals or obtain offspring from infertile (or
subfertile) animals. The embryo transfer is one assisted reproductive
technique developed well, aimed at increased productivity of selected
females, disease control, importation and exportation of livestock,
rapid screening of AI sires for genetically recessive characteristics,
treatment or circumvention of certain types of infertility. Embryo
transfer also is a useful research tool for evaluating fetal and maternal
interactions. This technique has been applied to nearly every species
of domestic animal and many species of wildlife and exotic animals,
including humans and non-human primates. The successful of
embryo transfers have been limited to within-animal, homologous
replacement of the embryos. There are several examples of
interspecific and intergeneric embryo transfers in which embryos
implanted but did not develop to term: sheep and goat, mouse and rat.
An immunological rejections and placental incompatibility between
the embryo and the surrogate mother appear to restrict interspecific
embryo transfer/interspecific pregnancy. Recently, preimplantation
embryo manipulation procedures have been applied, such as
technique of inner cell mass transfer. This technique will possible to
overcome the reproductive barrier interspecific embryo
transfer/interspecific pregnancy, if there is a protective mechanism
which prevents recognition of the foreign fetus by the mother of the
other species
Abstract: In most wheat growing moderate regions and
especially in the north of Iran climate, is affected grain filling by
several physical and abiotic stresses. In this region, grain filling often
occurs when temperatures are increasing and moisture supply is
decreasing. The experiment was designed in RCBD with split plot
arrangements with four replications. Four irrigation treatments
included (I0) no irrigation (check); (I1) one irrigation (50 mm) at
heading stage; (I2) two irrigation (100 mm) at heading and anthesis
stage; and (I3) three irrigation (150 mm) at heading, anthesis and
early grain filling growth stage, two wheat cultivars (Milan and
Shanghai) were cultured in the experiment. Totally raining was 453
mm during the growth season. The result indicated that biological
yield, grain yield and harvest index were significantly affected by
irrigation levels. I3 treatment produced more tillers number in m2,
fertile tillers number in m2, harvest index and biological yield. Milan
produced more tillers number in m2, fertile tillers in m2, while
Shanghai produced heavier tillers and grain 1000 weight. Plant height
was significant in wheat varieties while were not statistically
significant in irrigation levels. Milan produced more grain yield,
harvest index and biological yield. Grain yield shown that I1, I2, and
I3 produced increasing of 5228 (21%), 5460 (27%) and 5670 (29%)
kg ha-1, respectively. There was an interaction of irrigation and
cultivar on grain yields. In the absence of the irrigation reduced grain
1000 weight from 45 to 40 g. No irrigation reduced soil moisture
extraction during the grain filling stage. Current assimilation as a
source of carbon for grain filling depends on the light intercepting
viable green surfaces of the plant after anthesis that due to natural
senescence and the effect of various stresses. At the same time the
demand by the growing grain is increasing. It is concluded from
research work that wheat crop irrigated Milan cultivar could increase
the grain yield in comparison with Shanghai cultivar. Although, the
grain yield of Shanghai under irrigation was slightly lower than
Milan. This grain yield also was related to weather condition, sowing
date, plant density and location conditions and management of
fertilizers, because there was not significant difference in biological
and straw yield. The best result was produced by I1 treatment. I2 and
I3 treatments were not significantly difference with I1 treatment.
Grain yield of I1 indicated that wheat is under soil moisture
deficiency. Therefore, I1 irrigation was better than I0.
Abstract: The contribution deals with analysis of identity style
at adolescents (N=463) at the age from 16 to 19 (the average age is
17,7 years). We used the Identity Style Inventory by Berzonsky,
distinguishing three basic, measured identity styles: informational,
normative, diffuse-avoidant identity style and also commitment. The
informational identity style influencing on personal adaptability,
coping strategies, quality of life and the normative identity style, it
means the style in which an individual takes on models of authorities
at self-defining were found to have the highest representation in the
studied group of adolescents by higher scores at girls in comparison
with boys. The normative identity style positively correlates with the
informational identity style. The diffuse-avoidant identity style was
found to be positively associated with maladaptive decisional
strategies, neuroticism and depressive reactions. There is the style,
in which the individual shifts aside defining his personality. In our
research sample the lowest score represents it and negatively
correlates with commitment, it means with coping strategies, thrust in
oneself and the surrounding world. The age of adolescents did not
significantly differentiate representation of identity style. We were
finding the model, in which informational and normative identity
style had positive relationship and the informational and diffuseavoidant
style had negative relationship, which were determinated
with commitment. In the same time the commitment is influenced
with other outside factors.
Abstract: In this study, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)
were modified with nitric acid chemically and by dielectric barrier
discharge (DBD) plasma in an oxygen-based atmosphere. Used
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared by chemical vapour
deposition (CVD) floating catalyst method. For removing amorphous
carbon and metal catalyst, MWNTs were exposed to dry air and
washed with hydrochloric acid. Heating purified CNTs under helium
atmosphere caused elimination of acidic functional groups. Fourier
transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows formation of
oxygen containing groups such as C=O and COOH. Brunauer,
Emmett, Teller (BET) analysis revealed that functionalization causes
generation of defects on the sidewalls and opening of the ends of
CNTs. Results of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and gas
chromatography(GC) indicate that nitric acid treatment create more
acidic groups than plasma treatment.
Abstract: This paper presents the study of hardness profile of spur gear heated by induction heating process in function of the machine parameters, such as the power (kW), the heating time (s) and the generator frequency (kHz). The global work is realized by 3D finite-element simulation applied to the process by coupling and resolving the electromagnetic field and the heat transfer problems, and it was performed in three distinguished steps. First, a Comsol 3D model was built using an adequate formulation and taking into account the material properties and the machine parameters. Second, the convergence study was conducted to optimize the mesh. Then, the surface temperatures and the case depths were deeply analyzed in function of the initial current density and the heating time in medium frequency (MF) and high frequency (HF) heating modes and the edge effect were studied. Finally, the simulations results are validated using experimental tests.
Abstract: In this paper, transversal vibration of buried pipelines
during loading induced by underground explosions is analyzed. The
pipeline is modeled as an infinite beam on an elastic foundation, so
that soil-structure interaction is considered by means of transverse
linear springs along the pipeline. The pipeline behavior is assumed to
be ideal elasto-plastic which an ultimate strain value limits the plastic
behavior. The blast loading is considered as a point load, considering
the affected length at some point of the pipeline, in which the
magnitude decreases exponentially with time. A closed-form solution
for the quasi-static problem is carried out for both elastic and elasticperfect
plastic behaviors of pipe materials. At the end, a comparative
study on steel and polyethylene pipes with different sizes buried in
various soil conditions, affected by a predefined underground
explosion is conducted, in which effect of each parameter is
discussed.
Abstract: Parallel programming models exist as an abstraction
of hardware and memory architectures. There are several parallel
programming models in commonly use; they are shared memory
model, thread model, message passing model, data parallel model,
hybrid model, Flynn-s models, embarrassingly parallel computations
model, pipelined computations model. These models are not specific
to a particular type of machine or memory architecture. This paper
expresses the model program for concurrent approach to data parallel
model through java programming.
Abstract: In this paper back-propagation artificial neural network
(BPANN) is employed to predict the deformation of the upsetting
process. To prepare a training set for BPANN, some finite element
simulations were carried out. The input data for the artificial neural
network are a set of parameters generated randomly (aspect ratio d/h,
material properties, temperature and coefficient of friction). The
output data are the coefficient of polynomial that fitted on barreling
curves. Neural network was trained using barreling curves generated
by finite element simulations of the upsetting and the corresponding
material parameters. This technique was tested for three different
specimens and can be successfully employed to predict the
deformation of the upsetting process
Abstract: The aim of the present study is to analyze the generation of osteoporotic vertebral bone induced by lack of calcium during growth period and analyze its effects for disc degeneration, based on biomechanical and histomorphometrical study. Mechanical and histomorphological characteristics of lumbar vertebral bones and discs of rats with calcium free diet (CFD) were detected and tracked by using high resolution in-vivo micro-computed tomography (in-vivo micro-CT), finite element (FE) and histological analysis. Twenty female Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks old, approximate weight 170g) were randomly divided into two groups (CFD group: 10, NOR group: 10). The CFD group was maintained on a refmed calcium-controlled semisynthetic diet without added calcium, to induce osteoporosis. All lumbar (L 1-L6) were scanned by using in vivo micro-CT with 35i.un resolution at 0, 4, 8 weeks to track the effects of CFD on the generation of osteoporosis. The fmdings of the present study indicated that calcium insufficiency was the main factor in the generation of osteoporosis and it induced lumbar vertebral disc degeneration. This study is a valuable experiment to firstly evaluate osteoporotic vertebral bone and disc degeneration induced by lack of calcium during growth period from a biomechanical and histomorphometrical point of view.
Abstract: The rangelands, as one of the largest dynamic biomes
in the world, have very capabilities. Regulation of greenhouse gases
in the Earth's atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide as the main
these gases, is one of these cases. The attention to rangeland, as
cheep and reachable resources to sequestrate the carbon dioxide,
increases after the Industrial Revolution. Rangelands comprise the
large parts of Iran as a steppic area. Rudshur (Saveh), as area index of
steppic area, was selected under three sites include long-term
exclosure, medium-term exclosure, and grazable area in order to the
capable of carbon dioxide’s sequestration of dominated species.
Canopy cover’s percentage of two dominated species (Artemisia
sieberi Besser & Stipa barbata Desf) was determined via establishing
of random 1 square meter plot. The sampling of above and below
ground biomass style was obtained by complete random. After
determination of ash percentage in the laboratory; conversion ratio of
plant biomass to organic carbon was calculated by ignition method.
Results of the paired t-test showed that the amount of carbon
sequestration in above ground and underground biomass of Artemisia
sieberi Besser & Stipa barbata Desf is different in three regions. It,
of course, hasn’t any difference between under and surface ground’s
biomass of Artemisia sieberi Besser in long-term exclosure. The
independent t-test results indicate differences between underground
biomass corresponding each other in the studied sites. Carbon
sequestration in the Stipa barbata Desf was totally more than
Artemisia sieberi Besser. Altogether, the average sequestration of the
long-term exclosure was 5.842gr/m², the medium-term exclosure was
4.115gr/m², and grazable area was 5.975gr/m² so that there isn’t
valuable statistical difference in term of total amount of carbon
sequestration to three sites.
Abstract: More and more governments around the world are
introducing e-government as a means of reducing costs, improving
services, saving time and increasing effectiveness and efficiency in
the public sector Therefore e-government has been identified as one
of the top priorities for Saudi government and all its agencies.
However, the adoption of e-government is facing many challenges
and barriers such as technological, cultural, organizational, and social
issues which must be considered and treated carefully by any
government contemplating its adoption. This paper reports on a pilot
study amongst online (e-ready) citizens to identify the challenges and
barriers that affect the adoption of e-government services especially
from their perspective in Saudi society. Based on the analysis of data
collected from an online survey the researcher was able to identify
some of the important barriers and challenges from the e-ready
citizen perspective. As a result, this study has generated a list of
possible strategies to move towards successful adoption of egovernment
services in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to screen for
microorganism that able to utilize 3-N-trimethylamino-1-propanol
(homocholine) as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The aerobic
degradation of homocholine has been found by a gram-positive
Rhodococcus sp. bacterium isolated from soil. The isolate was
identified as Rhodococcus sp. strain A4 based on the phenotypic
features, physiologic and biochemical characteristics, and
phylogenetic analysis. The cells of the isolated strain grown on both
basal-TMAP and nutrient agar medium displayed elementary
branching mycelia fragmented into irregular rod and coccoid
elements. Comparative 16S rDNA sequencing studies indicated that
the strain A4 falls into the Rhodococcus erythropolis subclade and
forms a monophyletic group with the type-strains of R. opacus, and
R. wratislaviensis. Metabolites analysis by capillary electrophoresis,
fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry, and gas
chromatography- mass spectrometry, showed trimethylamine (TMA)
as the major metabolite beside β-alanine betaine and
trimethylaminopropionaldehyde. Therefore, the possible degradation
pathway of trimethylamino propanol in the isolated strain is through
consequence oxidation of alcohol group (-OH) to aldehyde (-CHO)
and acid (-COOH), and thereafter the cleavage of β-alanine betaine
C-N bonds yielded trimethylamine and alkyl chain.
Abstract: The main objective of this study is to test the
relationship between numbers of variables representing the firm
characteristics (market-related variables) and the extent of voluntary
disclosure levels (forward-looking disclosure) in the annual reports of
Egyptian firms listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange. The results
show that audit firm size is significantly positively correlated (in all
the three years) with the level of forward-looking disclosure.
However, industry type variable (which divided to: industries,
cement, construction, petrochemicals and services), is found being
insignificantly association with the level of forward-looking
information disclosed in the annual reports for all the three years.
Abstract: Nowadays, with the emerging of the new applications
like robot control in image processing, artificial vision for visual
servoing is a rapidly growing discipline and Human-machine
interaction plays a significant role for controlling the robot. This
paper presents a new algorithm based on spatio-temporal volumes for
visual servoing aims to control robots. In this algorithm, after
applying necessary pre-processing on video frames, a spatio-temporal
volume is constructed for each gesture and feature vector is extracted.
These volumes are then analyzed for matching in two consecutive
stages. For hand gesture recognition and classification we tested
different classifiers including k-Nearest neighbor, learning vector
quantization and back propagation neural networks. We tested the
proposed algorithm with the collected data set and results showed the
correct gesture recognition rate of 99.58 percent. We also tested the
algorithm with noisy images and algorithm showed the correct
recognition rate of 97.92 percent in noisy images.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is description of the notion of
the death for prisoners and the ways of deal with. They express
indifference, coldness, inability to accept the blame, they have no
shame and no empathy. Is it enough to perform acts verging on the
death. In this paper we described mechanisms and regularities of selfdestructive
behaviour in the view of the relevant literature? The
explanation of the phenomenon is of a biological and sociopsychological
nature. It must be clearly stated that all forms of selfdestructive
behaviour result from various impulses, conflicts and
deficits. That is why they should be treated differently in terms of
motivation and functions which they perform in a given group of
people. Behind self-destruction there seems to be a motivational
mechanism which forces prisoners to rebel and fight against the hated
law and penitentiary systems. The imprisoned believe that pain and
suffering inflicted on them by themselves are better than passive
acceptance of repression. The variety of self-destruction acts is wide,
and some of them take strange forms. We assume that a life-death
barrier is a kind of game for them. If they cannot change the
degrading situation, their life loses sense.
Abstract: In the present work, behavior of inoxydable steel as
reinforcement bar in composite concrete is being investigated. The
bar-concrete adherence in reinforced concrete (RC) beam is studied
and focus is made on the tension stiffening parameter. This study
highlighted an approach to observe this interaction behavior in
bending test instead of direct tension as per reported in many
references. The approach resembles actual loading condition of the
structural RC beam. The tension stiffening properties are then
applied to numerical finite element analysis (FEA) to verify their
correlation with laboratory results. Comparison with laboratory
shows a good correlation between the two. The experimental settings
is able to determine tension stiffening parameters in RC beam and
the modeling strategies made in ABAQUS can closely represent the
actual condition. Tension stiffening model used can represent the
interaction properties between inoxydable steel and concrete.
Abstract: The purpose of this research is the analysis of the
impact of ICT-related training in the adoption of a learning
management systems (LMS) for teaching practicesby faculties in a
higher education institution. Based on comparative analyses the
impact will be obtained by the number of LMS courses created and
managed by participants in ICT for teaching workshops and those
who have not attended to any workshops. Involving near 1320 LMS
courses and 265 faculties, the results evidence that(i) faculties who
have not attend any workshop present a larger distribution of empty
courses and (ii) faculties who have attended three or more workshops
managed a higher distribution of courses with a considerable level of
use intensity, when compared to the others groups. These findings
supportthe idea that faculty training is a crucial factor in the process
of LMS integration in higher education institutions and that faculties
who have been enrolled in three or more workshops develop a higher
level of technical and pedagogical proficiency in LMS.
Abstract: The aim of this work is to determine the supersonic
nozzle profiles used in propulsion, for the launchers or embarked
with the satellites. This design has as a role firstly, to give a
important propulsion, i.e. with uniform and parallel flow at exit,
secondly to find a short length profiles without modification of the
flow in the nozzle. The first elaborate program is used to determine
the profile of divergent by using the characteristics method for an
axisymmetric flow. The second program is conceived by using the
finite volume method to determine and test the profile found
connected to a convergent.