Abstract: Computer aided diagnosis systems provide vital
opinion to radiologists in the detection of early signs of breast cancer
from mammogram images. Architectural distortions, masses and
microcalcifications are the major abnormalities. In this paper, a
computer aided diagnosis system has been proposed for
distinguishing abnormal mammograms with architectural distortion
from normal mammogram. Four types of texture features GLCM
texture, GLRLM texture, fractal texture and spectral texture features
for the regions of suspicion are extracted. Support vector machine
has been used as classifier in this study. The proposed system yielded
an overall sensitivity of 96.47% and an accuracy of 96% for
mammogram images collected from digital database for screening
mammography database.
Abstract: Batch production plants provide a wide range of
scheduling problems. In pharmaceutical industries a batch process
is usually described by a recipe, consisting of an ordering of tasks
to produce the desired product. In this research work we focused
on pharmaceutical production processes requiring the culture of
a microorganism population (i.e. bacteria, yeasts or antibiotics).
Several sources of uncertainty may influence the yield of the culture
processes, including (i) low performance and quality of the cultured
microorganism population or (ii) microbial contamination. For
these reasons, robustness is a valuable property for the considered
application context. In particular, a robust schedule will not collapse
immediately when a cell of microorganisms has to be thrown away
due to a microbial contamination. Indeed, a robust schedule should
change locally in small proportions and the overall performance
measure (i.e. makespan, lateness) should change a little if at all.
In this research work we formulated a constraint programming
optimization (COP) model for the robust planning of antibiotics
production. We developed a discrete-time model with a multi-criteria
objective, ordering the different criteria and performing a
lexicographic optimization. A feasible solution of the proposed
COP model is a schedule of a given set of tasks onto available
resources. The schedule has to satisfy tasks precedence constraints,
resource capacity constraints and time constraints. In particular
time constraints model tasks duedates and resource availability
time windows constraints. To improve the schedule robustness, we
modeled the concept of (a, b) super-solutions, where (a, b) are input
parameters of the COP model. An (a, b) super-solution is one in
which if a variables (i.e. the completion times of a culture tasks)
lose their values (i.e. cultures are contaminated), the solution can be
repaired by assigning these variables values with a new values (i.e.
the completion times of a backup culture tasks) and at most b other
variables (i.e. delaying the completion of at most b other tasks).
The efficiency and applicability of the proposed model is
demonstrated by solving instances taken from a real-life
pharmaceutical company. Computational results showed that
the determined super-solutions are near-optimal.
Abstract: This paper develops and investigates a framework for
the assessment of customer involvement in the service design process
of result oriented product-service systems in order to improve the
service offering in a business-to-business (B2B) context. The
framework comprises five main criteria and fifteen sub-criteria that
contribute to customer involvement in a hierarchy using a maturity
grid to highlight the strengths and weaknesses for each criterion. To
develop the customer involvement framework, an extensive literature
review related to service design, result oriented product-service
system (PSS) and customer involvement in service design was
carried out. Key factors that significantly influence customer
involvement from industry and literature were identified to develop
the framework. A major contribution of the developed framework
includes a hierarchy of appropriate criteria for assessing customer
involvement in the service design process within results oriented
PSS; the definition of four maturity levels which are suitable to
describe the whole spectrum of customer involvement in the service
design process; and finally, The paper concludes by enabling service
providers to: take proactive decisions; screen and evaluate new
services; improve perceived service quality; and provide barriers
against imitation.
Abstract: One of the most critical decision points in the design of a
face recognition system is the choice of an appropriate face representation.
Effective feature descriptors are expected to convey sufficient, invariant
and non-redundant facial information. In this work we propose a set of
Hahn moments as a new approach for feature description. Hahn moments
have been widely used in image analysis due to their invariance, nonredundancy
and the ability to extract features either globally and locally.
To assess the applicability of Hahn moments to Face Recognition we
conduct two experiments on the Olivetti Research Laboratory (ORL)
database and University of Notre-Dame (UND) X1 biometric collection.
Fusion of the global features along with the features from local facial
regions are used as an input for the conventional k-NN classifier. The
method reaches an accuracy of 93% of correctly recognized subjects for
the ORL database and 94% for the UND database.
Abstract: This paper deals with nonlinear vibration analysis
using finite element method for frame structures consisting of elastic
and viscoelastic damping layers supported by multiple nonlinear
concentrated springs with hysteresis damping. The frame is supported
by four nonlinear concentrated springs near the four corners. The
restoring forces of the springs have cubic non-linearity and linear
component of the nonlinear springs has complex quantity to represent
linear hysteresis damping. The damping layer of the frame structures
has complex modulus of elasticity. Further, the discretized equations in
physical coordinate are transformed into the nonlinear ordinary
coupled differential equations using normal coordinate corresponding
to linear natural modes. Comparing shares of strain energy of the
elastic frame, the damping layer and the springs, we evaluate the
influences of the damping couplings on the linear and nonlinear impact
responses. We also investigate influences of damping changed by
stiffness of the elastic frame on the nonlinear coupling in the damped
impact responses.
Abstract: The use of Flexible AC Transmission System
(FACTS) devices in a power system can potentially overcome
limitations of the present mechanically controlled transmission
system. Also, the advance of technology makes possible to include
new energy storage devices in the electrical power system. The
integration of Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES)
into Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) can lead to
increase their flexibility in improvement of power system dynamic
behaviour by exchanging both active and reactive powers with power
grids. This paper describes structure and behaviour of SMES,
specifications and performance principles of the STATCOM/SMES
compensator. Moreover, the benefits and effectiveness of integrated
SMES with STATCOM in power systems is presented. Also, the
performance of the STATCOM/SMES compensator is evaluated
using an IEEE 3-bus system through the dynamic simulation by
PSCAD/EMTDC software.
Abstract: An approach was evaluated for the retrieval of soil
moisture of bare soil surface using bistatic scatterometer data in the
angular range of 200 to 700 at VV- and HH- polarization. The
microwave data was acquired by specially designed X-band (10
GHz) bistatic scatterometer. The linear regression analysis was done
between scattering coefficients and soil moisture content to select the
suitable incidence angle for retrieval of soil moisture content. The 250
incidence angle was found more suitable. The support vector
regression analysis was used to approximate the function described
by the input output relationship between the scattering coefficient and
corresponding measured values of the soil moisture content. The
performance of support vector regression algorithm was evaluated by
comparing the observed and the estimated soil moisture content by
statistical performance indices %Bias, root mean squared error
(RMSE) and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE). The values of %Bias,
root mean squared error (RMSE) and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency
(NSE) were found 2.9451, 1.0986 and 0.9214 respectively at HHpolarization.
At VV- polarization, the values of %Bias, root mean
squared error (RMSE) and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) were
found 3.6186, 0.9373 and 0.9428 respectively.
Abstract: The possibility of application the dietary fibers in
production of crackers was observed in this work, as well as their
influence on rheological and textural properties on the dough for
crackers and influence on sensory properties of obtained crackers.
Three different dietary fibers, oat, potato and pea fibers, replaced
10% of wheat flour. Long fermentation process and baking test
method were used for crackers production. The changes of dough for
crackers were observed by rheological methods of determination the
viscoelastic dough properties and by textural measurements. Sensory
quality of obtained crackers was described using quantity descriptive
method (QDA) by trained members of descriptive panel. Additional
analysis of crackers surface was performed by videometer. Based on
rheological determination, viscoelastic properties of dough for
crackers were reduced by application of dietary fibers. Manipulation
of dough with 10% of potato fiber was disabled, thus the recipe
modification included increase in water content at 35%. Dough
compliance to constant stress for samples with dietary fibers
decreased, due to more rigid and stiffer dough consistency compared
to control sample. Also, hardness of dough for these samples
increased and dough extensibility decreased. Sensory properties of
final products, crackers, were reduced compared to control sample.
Application of dietary fibers affected mostly hardness, structure and
crispness of the crackers. Observed crackers were low marked for
flavor and taste, due to influence of fibers specific aroma. The sample
with 10% of potato fibers and increased water content was the most
adaptable to applied stresses and to production process. Also this
sample was close to control sample without dietary fibers by
evaluation of sensory properties and by results of videometer method.
Abstract: This research presents the main ideas to implement an
intelligent system composed by communicating wireless sensors
measuring environmental data linked to drought indicators (such as
air temperature, soil moisture , etc...). On the other hand, the setting
up of a spatio temporal database communicating with a Web mapping
application for a monitoring in real time in activity 24:00 /day, 7
days/week is proposed to allow the screening of the drought
parameters time evolution and their extraction. Thus this system
helps detecting surfaces touched by the phenomenon of drought.
Spatio-temporal conceptual models seek to answer the users who
need to manage soil water content for irrigating or fertilizing or other
activities pursuing crop yield augmentation. Effectively, spatiotemporal
conceptual models enable users to obtain a diagram of
readable and easy data to apprehend. Based on socio-economic
information, it helps identifying people impacted by the phenomena
with the corresponding severity especially that this information is
accessible by farmers and stakeholders themselves. The study will be
applied in Siliana watershed Northern Tunisia.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of a boundary
fitted nested grid (BFNG) model to compute tsunami propagation of
2004 Indonesian tsunami in Southern Thailand coastal waters. We
develop a numerical model employing the shallow water nested
model and an orthogonal boundary fitted grid to investigate the
tsunami impact on the Southern Thailand due to the Indonesian
tsunami of 2004. Comparisons of water surface elevation obtained
from numerical simulations and field measurements are made.
Abstract: A compact Ultra Wide Band (UWB) antenna with coplanar
waveguide feed has been designed and results are verified in
this paper. The antenna has been designed on FR4 substrate with
dielectric constant (εr) of 4.4 and dimensions of 32mm x 26mm x
0.8mm. The presented antenna shows return loss characteristics in the
band of 3.1 to 10.6 GHz as prescribed by FCC, USA. Parametric
studies have been done and results thus obtained have been
presented. Simulated results have been verified on Rohde & Swartz
VNA. The measured results are in good agreement with simulated
results which make the presented antenna suitable to be used for
wearable applications. Performance analysis of antenna has also been
shown in the presence of three layered Human Arm model. Results
obtained in presence of Human Arm model has been compared with
that in free space.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with the single-item
continuous review inventory system in which demand is stochastic
and discrete. The budget consumed for purchasing the ordered items
is not restricted but it incurs extra cost when exceeding specific
value. The unit purchasing price depends on the quantity ordered
under the all-units discounts cost structure. In many actual systems,
the budget as a resource which is occupied by the purchased items is
limited and the system is able to confront the resource shortage by
charging more costs. Thus, considering the resource shortage costs as
a part of system costs, especially when the amount of resource
occupied by the purchased item is influenced by quantity discounts,
is well motivated by practical concerns. In this paper, an optimization
problem is formulated for finding the optimal (r, Q) policy, when the
system is influenced by the budget limitation and a discount pricing
simultaneously. Properties of the cost function are investigated and
then an algorithm based on a one-dimensional search procedure is
proposed for finding an optimal (r, Q) policy which minimizes the
expected system costs.
Abstract: The composite flour blend consisting of corn, pearl
millet, black gram and wheat bran in the ratio of 80:5:10:5 was taken
to prepare the extruded product and their effect on physical properties
of extrudate was studied. The extrusion process was conducted in
laboratory by using twin screw extruder. The physical characteristics
evaluated include lateral expansion, bulk density, water absorption
index, water solubility index, and rehydration ratio and moisture
retention. The Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) was
used to decide the level of processing variables i.e. feed moisture
content (%), screw speed (rpm), and barrel temperature (oC) for the
experiment. The data obtained after extrusion process were analyzed
by using response surface methodology. A second order polynomial
model for the dependent variables was established to fit the
experimental data. The numerical optimization studies resulted in
127°C of barrel temperature, 246 rpm of screw speed, and 14.5% of
feed moisture as optimum variables to produce acceptable extruded
product. The responses predicted by the software for the optimum
process condition resulted in lateral expansion 126%, bulk density
0.28 g/cm3, water absorption index 4.10 g/g, water solubility index
39.90%, rehydration ratio 544% and moisture retention 11.90% with
75% desirability.
Abstract: The development of transport systems has negative
impacts on the environment although it has beneficial effects on
society. The car policy caused many problems such as: - the
spectacular growth of fuel consumption hence the very vast increase
in urban pollution, traffic congestion in certain places and at certain
times, the increase in the number of accidents. The exhaust emissions
from cars and weather conditions are the main factors that determine
the level of pollution in urban atmosphere. These conditions lead to
the phenomenon of heat transfer and radiation occurring between the
air and the soil surface of any town. These exchanges give rise, in
urban areas, to the effects of heat islands that correspond to the
appearance of excess air temperature between the city and its
surrounding space. In this object, we perform a numerical simulation
of the plume generated by the cars exhaust gases and show that these
gases form a screening effect above the urban city which cause the
heat island in the presence of wind flow. This study allows us: 1. To
understand the different mechanisms of interactions between these
phenomena.2. To consider appropriate technical solutions to mitigate
the effects of the heat island.
Abstract: In this study, a multi objective optimization for end
milling of Al 6061 alloy has been presented to provide better
surface quality and higher Material Removal Rate (MRR). The input
parameters considered for the analysis are spindle speed, depth of cut
and feed. The experiments were planned as per Taguchis design of
experiment, with L27 orthogonal array. The Grey Relational Analysis
(GRA) has been used for transforming multiple quality responses
into a single response and the weights of the each performance
characteristics are determined by employing the Principal Component
Analysis (PCA), so that their relative importance can be properly and
objectively described. The results reveal that Taguchi based G-PCA
can effectively acquire the optimal combination of cutting parameters.
Abstract: Tannase (tannin acyl hydrolase, E.C.3.1.1.20) is an
important hydrolysable enzyme with innumerable applications and
industrial potential. In the present study, a kinetic model has been
developed for the batch fermentation used for the production of
tannase by A.flavus MTCC 3783. Maximum tannase activity of
143.30 U/ml was obtained at 96 hours under optimum operating
conditions at 35oC, an initial pH of 5.5 and with an inducer tannic
acid concentration of 3% (w/v) for a fermentation period of 120
hours. The biomass concentration reaches a maximum of 6.62 g/l at
96 hours and further there was no increase in biomass concentration
till the end of the fermentation. Various unstructured kinetic models
were analyzed to simulate the experimental values of microbial
growth, tannase activity and substrate concentration. The Logistic
model for microbial growth , Luedeking - Piret model for production
of tannase and Substrate utilization kinetic model for utilization of
substrate were capable of predicting the fermentation profile with
high coefficient of determination (R2) values of 0.980, 0.942 and
0.983 respectively. The results indicated that the unstructured models
were able to describe the fermentation kinetics more effectively.
Abstract: This paper presents the results obtained by numerical
simulation using the software ANSYS CFX-CFD for the air
pollutants dispersion in the atmosphere coming from the evacuation
of combustion gases resulting from the fuel combustion in an electric
thermal power plant. The model uses the Navier-Stokes equation to
simulate the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere. It is
considered as important factors in elaboration of simulation the
atmospheric conditions (pressure, temperature, wind speed, wind
direction), the exhaust velocity of the combustion gases, chimney
height and the obstacles (buildings). Using the air quality monitoring
stations it is measured the concentrations of main pollutants (SO2,
NOx and PM). The pollutants were monitored over a period of 3
months, after that the average concentration are calculated, which is
used by the software. The concentrations are: 8.915 μg/m3 (NOx),
9.587 μg/m3 (SO2) and 42 μg/m3 (PM). A comparison of test data
with simulation results demonstrated that CFX was able to describe
the dispersion of the pollutant as well the concentration of this
pollutants in the atmosphere.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is the discrimination of 28
postmenopausal with osteoporotic femoral fractures from an agematched
control group of 28 women using texture analysis based on
fractals. Two pre-processing approaches are applied on radiographic
images; these techniques are compared to highlight the choice of the
pre-processing method. Furthermore, the values of the fractal
dimension are compared to those of the fractal signature in terms of
the classification of the two populations. In a second analysis, the
BMD measure at proximal femur was compared to the fractal
analysis, the latter, which is a non-invasive technique, allowed a
better discrimination; the results confirm that the fractal analysis of
texture on calcaneus radiographs is able to discriminate osteoporotic
patients with femoral fracture from controls. This discrimination was
efficient compared to that obtained by BMD alone. It was also
present in comparing subgroups with overlapping values of BMD.
Abstract: Drying is a phenomenon that accompanies the
hardening of hydraulic materials. This study is concerned the
modelling of drying shrinkage of the hydraulic materials and the
prediction of the rate of spontaneous deformations of hydraulic
materials during hardening. The model developed takes consideration
of the main factors affecting drying shrinkage. There was agreement
between drying shrinkage predicted by the developed model and
experimental results. In last we show that developed model describe
the evolution of the drying shrinkage of high performances concretes
correctly.
Abstract: In this paper, the secure BioSemantic Scheme is
presented to bridge biological/biomedical research problems and
computational solutions via semantic computing. Due to the diversity
of problems in various research fields, the semantic capability
description language (SCDL) plays and important role as a common
language and generic form for problem formalization. SCDL is
expected the essential for future semantic and logical computing in
Biosemantic field. We show several example to Biomedical problems
in this paper. Moreover, in the coming age of cloud computing, the
security problem is considered to be crucial issue and we presented a
practical scheme to cope with this problem.