Abstract: The Malaysia Highway Authority (MHA) was
established by the Government in 1980 for the purpose of designing,
constructing and maintaining toll highways in Malaysia that include
the North-South Expressway and the Penang Bridge, which were
procured using the publicly-funded traditional procurement. However
following a recession in the mid 80-s, the operations of these tolledhighways
had been privatized to ensure that their operational services
continue through private financing as a result of long-term
concession agreement concurred between the Malaysian Government
and private operators. The change in the contract strategy for
highway projects in Malaysia would have a great tendency to dictate
a significant risk exposure towards the key parties involved,
particularly the Malaysian Government as project principal, unless
operational risks are clearly identified and managed via appropriate
mitigation measures prior to a contract signing.
This research identifies potential operational risks that have a
possibility to occur in highway projects in Malaysia from the
perspective of public sector clients. Since this research focuses on the
operational risks for highway projects in Malaysia, the initial results
acquired from literature review on the operational risks of highway
projects in some Asian countries are then justified by a number of
key individuals from the MHA through interviews. As a result,
among key operational risks that have possibility to occur in the
highway projects in Malaysia include initial toll-tariff decided by the
Government, traffic congestion, change of road network and overloaded
freight transportation, which could cause damage to the road
surface and hence affecting the operation of a particular highway.
Abstract: In this paper, we proposed the robust mobile object
detection method for light effect in the night street image block based
updating reference background model using block state analysis.
Experiment image is acquired sequence color video from steady
camera. When suddenly appeared artificial illumination, reference
background model update this information such as street light, sign
light. Generally natural illumination is change by temporal, but
artificial illumination is suddenly appearance. So in this paper for
exactly detect artificial illumination have 2 state process. First process
is compare difference between current image and reference
background by block based, it can know changed blocks. Second
process is difference between current image-s edge map and reference
background image-s edge map, it possible to estimate illumination at
any block. This information is possible to exactly detect object,
artificial illumination and it was generating reference background
more clearly. Block is classified by block-state analysis. Block-state
has a 4 state (i.e. transient, stationary, background, artificial
illumination). Fig. 1 is show characteristic of block-state respectively
[1]. Experimental results show that the presented approach works well
in the presence of illumination variance.
Abstract: Medical image registration is the key technology in image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) systems. On the basis of the previous work on our IGRT prototype with a biorthogonal x-ray imaging system, we described a method focused on the 2D/2D rigid-body registration using multiresolution pyramid based mutual information in this paper. Three key steps were involved in the method ： firstly, four 2D images were obtained including two x-ray projection images and two digital reconstructed radiographies（DRRs ） as the input for the registration ； Secondly, each pair of the corresponding x-ray image and DRR image were matched using multiresolution pyramid based mutual information under the ITK registration framework ； Thirdly, we got the final couch offset through a coordinate transformation by calculating the translations acquired from the two pairs of the images. A simulation example of a parotid gland tumor case and a clinical example of an anthropomorphic head phantom were employed in the verification tests. In addition, the influence of different CT slice thickness were tested. The simulation results showed that the positioning errors were 0.068±0.070, 0.072±0.098, 0.154±0.176mm along three axes which were lateral, longitudinal and vertical. The clinical test indicated that the positioning errors of the planned isocenter were 0.066, 0.07, 2.06mm on average with a CT slice thickness of 2.5mm. It can be concluded that our method with its verified accuracy and robustness can be effectively used in IGRT systems for patient setup.
Abstract: The stereophotogrammetry modality is gaining more widespread use in the clinical setting. Registration and visualization of this data, in conjunction with conventional 3D volumetric image modalities, provides virtual human data with textured soft tissue and internal anatomical and structural information. In this investigation computed tomography (CT) and stereophotogrammetry data is acquired from 4 anatomical phantoms and registered using the trimmed iterative closest point (TrICP) algorithm. This paper fully addresses the issue of imaging artifacts around the stereophotogrammetry surface edge using the registered CT data as a reference. Several iterative algorithms are implemented to automatically identify and remove stereophotogrammetry surface edge outliers, improving the overall visualization of the combined stereophotogrammetry and CT data. This paper shows that outliers at the surface edge of stereophotogrammetry data can be successfully removed automatically.
Abstract: In this paper, an experimentation to enhance the
visibility of hot objects in a thermal image acquired with ordinary
digital camera is reported, after the applications of lowpass and
median filters to suppress the distracting granular noises. The
common thresholding and slicing techniques were used on the
histogram at different gray levels, followed by a subjective
comparative evaluation. The best result came out with the threshold
level 115 and the number of slices 3.
Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to establish Professional Competency Contents for International Marketer in Taiwan. To establish these contents a set of interviews with international marketing managers and three rounds of Delphi Technique surveys were employed. Five international marketing managers were interviewed for discussions on definitions, framework, and items of international marketing competency. A questionnaire for the " Delphi Technique Survey " was developed based on the results acquired from the interviews. The resulting questionnaire was distributed to another group of 30 international marketer of trading companies in Taiwan. After three rounds of Delphi Technique Survey with these participants, the "Contents of Professional Competency for International Marketer " was established. Five dimensions and thirty indicators were identified. It is hoped that the proposed contents could be served as a self-evaluation tool for international marketer as well as the basis for staffing and training programs for international marketer in Taiwan.
Abstract: Benchmarking cleaner production performance is an
effective way of pollution control and emission reduction in coal-fired
power industry. A benchmarking method using two-stage
super-efficiency data envelopment analysis for coal-fired power plants
is proposed – firstly, to improve the cleaner production performance of
DEA-inefficient or weakly DEA-efficient plants, then to select the
benchmark from performance-improved power plants. An empirical
study is carried out with the survey data of 24 coal-fired power plants.
The result shows that in the first stage the performance of 16 plants is
DEA-efficient and that of 8 plants is relatively inefficient. The target
values for improving DEA-inefficient plants are acquired by
projection analysis. The efficient performance of 24 power plants and
the benchmarking plant is achieved in the second stage. The two-stage
benchmarking method is practical to select the optimal benchmark in
the cleaner production of coal-fired power industry and will
continuously improve plants- cleaner production performance.
Abstract: The proper design of RF pulses in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a direct impact on the quality of acquired images, and is needed for many applications. Several techniques have been proposed to obtain the RF pulse envelope given the desired slice profile. Unfortunately, these techniques do not take into account the limitations of practical implementation such as limited amplitude resolution. Moreover, implementing constraints for special RF pulses on most techniques is not possible. In this work, we propose to develop an approach for designing optimal RF pulses under theoretically any constraints. The new technique will pose the RF pulse design problem as a combinatorial optimization problem and uses efficient techniques from this area such as genetic algorithms (GA) to solve this problem. In particular, an objective function will be proposed as the norm of the difference between the desired profile and the one obtained from solving the Bloch equations for the current RF pulse design values. The proposed approach will be verified using analytical solution based RF simulations and compared to previous methods such as Shinnar-Le Roux (SLR) method, and analysis, selected, and tested the options and parameters that control the Genetic Algorithm (GA) can significantly affect its performance to get the best improved results and compared to previous works in this field. The results show a significant improvement over conventional design techniques, select the best options and parameters for GA to get most improvement over the previous works, and suggest the practicality of using of the new technique for most important applications as slice selection for large flip angles, in the area of unconventional spatial encoding, and another clinical use.
Abstract: For Seismic design, it is important to estimate,
maximum lateral displacement (inelastic displacement) of the
structures due to sever earthquakes for several reasons. Seismic
design provisions estimate the maximum roof and storey drifts
occurring in major earthquakes by amplifying the drifts of the
structures obtained by elastic analysis subjected to seismic design
load, with a coefficient named “displacement amplification factor"
which is greater than one. Here, this coefficient depends on various
parameters, such as ductility and overstrength factors. The present
research aims to evaluate the value of the displacement amplification
factor in seismic design codes and then tries to propose a value to
estimate the maximum lateral structural displacement from sever
earthquakes, without using non-linear analysis. In seismic codes,
since the displacement amplification is related to “force reduction
factor" hence; this aspect has been accepted in the current study.
Meanwhile, two methodologies are applied to evaluate the value of
displacement amplification factor and its relation with the force
reduction factor. In the first methodology, which is applied for all
structures, the ratio of displacement amplification and force reduction
factors is determined directly. Whereas, in the second methodology
that is applicable just for R/C moment resisting frame, the ratio is
obtained by calculating both factors, separately. The acquired results
of these methodologies are alike and estimate the ratio of two factors
from 1 to 1.2. The results indicate that the ratio of the displacement
amplification factor and the force reduction factor differs to those
proposed by seismic provisions such as NEHRP, IBC and Iranian
seismic code (standard no. 2800).
Abstract: This paper proposes a balance control scheme for a biped robot to trace an arbitrary path using image information. While moving, it estimates the zero moment point(ZMP) of the biped robot in the next step using a Kalman filter and renders an appropriate balanced pose of the robot. The ZMP can be calculated from the robot's pose, which is measured from the reference object image acquired by a CCD camera on the robot's head. For simplifying the kinematical model, the coordinates systems of individual joints of each leg are aligned and the robot motion is approximated as an inverted pendulum so that a simple linear dynamics, 3D-LIPM(3D-Linear Inverted Pendulum Mode) can be applied. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm has been proven by the experiments performed on unknown trajectory.
Abstract: This paper explores the opportunity of using tri-axial
wireless accelerometers for supervised monitoring of sports
movements. A motion analysis system for the upper extremities of
lawn bowlers in particular is developed. Accelerometers are placed
on parts of human body such as the chest to represent the shoulder
movements, the back to capture the trunk motion, back of the hand,
the wrist and one above the elbow, to capture arm movements. These
sensors placement are carefully designed in order to avoid restricting
bowler-s movements. Data is acquired from these sensors in soft-real
time using virtual instrumentation; the acquired data is then
conditioned and converted into required parameters for motion
regeneration. A user interface was also created to facilitate in the
acquisition of data, and broadcasting of commands to the wireless
accelerometers. All motion regeneration in this paper deals with the
motion of the human body segment in the X and Y direction, looking
into the motion of the anterior/ posterior and lateral directions
respectively.
Abstract: This paper has introduced a slope photogrammetric mapping using unmanned aerial vehicle. There are two units of UAV has been used in this study; namely; fixed wing and multi-rotor. Both UAVs were used to capture images at the study area. A consumer digital camera was mounted vertically at the bottom of UAV and captured the images at an altitude. The objectives of this study are to obtain three dimensional coordinates of slope area and to determine the accuracy of photogrammetric product produced from both UAVs. Several control points and checkpoints were established Real Time Kinematic Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS) in the study area. All acquired images from both UAVs went through all photogrammetric processes such as interior orientation, exterior orientation, aerial triangulation and bundle adjustment using photogrammetric software. Two primary results were produced in this study; namely; digital elevation model and digital orthophoto. Based on results, UAV system can be used to mapping slope area especially for limited budget and time constraints project.
Abstract: In this paper, algorithm estimating the blood pressure
was proposed using the pulse transit time (PTT) as a more convenient
method of measuring the blood pressure. After measuring ECG and
pressure pulse, and photoplethysmography, the PTT was calculated
from the acquired signals. Thereafter, the system to indirectly measure
the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure was composed using
the statistic method. In comparison between the blood pressure
indirectly measured by proposed algorithm estimating the blood
pressure and real blood pressure measured by conventional
sphygmomanometer, the systolic pressure indicates the mean error of
±3.24mmHg and the standard deviation of 2.53mmHg, while the
diastolic pressure indicates the satisfactory result, that is, the mean
error of ±1.80mmHg and the standard deviation of 1.39mmHg. These
results are satisfied with the regulation of ANSI/AAMI for
certification of sphygmomanometer that real measurement error value
should be within the mean error of ±5mmHg and the standard
deviation of 8mmHg. These results are suggest the possibility of
applying to portable and long time blood pressure monitoring system
hereafter.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the
sensitometric properties of commonly used radiographic films
processed with chemical solutions in different workload hospitals.
The effect of different processing conditions on induced densities on
radiologic films was investigated. Two accessible double emulsions
Fuji and Kodak films were exposed with 11-step wedge and
processed with Champion and CPAC processing solutions. The
mentioned films provided in both workloads centers, high and low.
Our findings displays that the speed and contrast of Kodak filmscreen
in both work load (high and low) is higher than Fuji filmscreen
for both processing solutions. However there was significant
differences in films contrast for both workloads when CPAC solution
had been used (p=0.000 and 0.028). The results showed base plus
fog density for Kodak film was lower than Fuji. Generally Champion
processing solution caused more speed and contrast for investigated
films in different conditions and there was significant differences in
95% confidence level between two used processing solutions
(p=0.01). Low base plus fog density for Kodak films provide more
visibility and accuracy and higher contrast results in using lower
exposure factors to obtain better quality in resulting radiographs. In
this study we found an economic advantages since Champion
solution and Kodak film are used while it makes lower patient dose.
Thus, in a radiologic facility any change in film processor/processing
cycle or chemistry should be carefully investigated before
radiological procedures of patients are acquired.
Abstract: Cryptography provides the secure manner of
information transmission over the insecure channel. It authenticates
messages based on the key but not on the user. It requires a lengthy
key to encrypt and decrypt the sending and receiving the messages,
respectively. But these keys can be guessed or cracked. Moreover,
Maintaining and sharing lengthy, random keys in enciphering and
deciphering process is the critical problem in the cryptography
system. A new approach is described for generating a crypto key,
which is acquired from a person-s iris pattern. In the biometric field,
template created by the biometric algorithm can only be
authenticated with the same person. Among the biometric templates,
iris features can efficiently be distinguished with individuals and
produces less false positives in the larger population. This type of iris
code distribution provides merely less intra-class variability that aids
the cryptosystem to confidently decrypt messages with an exact
matching of iris pattern. In this proposed approach, the iris features
are extracted using multi resolution wavelets. It produces 135-bit iris
codes from each subject and is used for encrypting/decrypting the
messages. The autocorrelators are used to recall original messages
from the partially corrupted data produced by the decryption process.
It intends to resolve the repudiation and key management problems.
Results were analyzed in both conventional iris cryptography system
(CIC) and non-repudiation iris cryptography system (NRIC). It
shows that this new approach provides considerably high
authentication in enciphering and deciphering processes.
Abstract: Trihalogenmethanes are the most significant byproducts of the reaction of disinfection agent with organic precursors naturally present in ground and surface waters.Their incidence negatively affects the quality of drinking water in relation to their nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and genotoxic effects on human health. Taking into consideration the considerable volatility of monitored contaminants it could be assumed that their incidence in drinking water would depend on the distance of sampling from the area of disinfection. Based on the concentration of trihalogenmethanes determined with the help of gas chromatography with mass detector and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) such dependence has been proved as statistically significant. The acquired outcomes will be used for assessing the non-carcinogenic and genotoxic risks to consumers.
Abstract: The objective of this paper, is to apply support vector machine (SVM) approach for the classification of cancerous and normal regions of prostate images. Three kinds of textural features are extracted and used for the analysis: parameters of the Gauss- Markov random field (GMRF), correlation function and relative entropy. Prostate images are acquired by the system consisting of a microscope, video camera and a digitizing board. Cross-validated classification over a database of 46 images is implemented to evaluate the performance. In SVM classification, sensitivity and specificity of 96.2% and 97.0% are achieved for the 32x32 pixel block sized data, respectively, with an overall accuracy of 96.6%. Classification performance is compared with artificial neural network and k-nearest neighbor classifiers. Experimental results demonstrate that the SVM approach gives the best performance.
Abstract: Real-time measurement of applied forces, like tension, compression, torsion, and bending moment, identifies the transferred energies being applied to the bottomhole assembly (BHA). These forces are highly detrimental to measurement/logging-while-drilling tools and downhole equipment. Real-time measurement of the dynamic downhole behavior, including weight, torque, bending on bit, and vibration, establishes a real-time feedback loop between the downhole drilling system and drilling team at the surface. This paper describes the numerical analysis of the strain data acquired by the measurement tool at different locations on the strain pockets. The strain values obtained by FEA for various loading conditions (tension, compression, torque, and bending moment) are compared against experimental results obtained from an identical experimental setup. Numerical analyses results agree with experimental data within 8% and, therefore, substantiate and validate the FEA model. This FEA model can be used to analyze the combined loading conditions that reflect the actual drilling environment.
Abstract: Along with the increased morbidity of glaucoma or
diabetic retinitis pigmentosa, etc., number of people with vision loss is
also increasing in Japan. It is difficult for the visually impaired to learn
and acquire braille because most of them are middle-aged. In addition,
number of braille teachers are not sufficient and reducing in Japan, and
this situation makes more difficult for the visually impaired. Therefore,
we research and develop a Web-based e-learning program for tactile
braille, that cooperate with braille display and voice assistance.
Abstract: Technological innovation capability (TIC) is
defined as a comprehensive set of characteristics of a firm that
facilities and supports its technological innovation strategies.
An audit to evaluate the TICs of a firm may trigger
improvement in its future practices. Such an audit can be used
by the firm for self assessment or third-party independent
assessment to identify problems of its capability status. This
paper attempts to develop such an auditing framework that
can help to determine the subtle links between innovation
capabilities and business performance; and to enable the
auditor to determine whether good practice is in place. The
seven TICs in this study include learning, R&D, resources
allocation, manufacturing, marketing, organization and
strategic planning capabilities. Empirical data was acquired
through a survey study of 200 manufacturing firms in the
Hong Kong/Pearl River Delta (HK/PRD) region. Structural
equation modelling was employed to examine the
relationships among TICs and various performance indicators:
sales performance, innovation performance, product
performance, and sales growth. The results revealed that
different TICs have different impacts on different
performance measures. Organization capability was found to
have the most influential impact. Hong Kong manufacturers
are now facing the challenge of high-mix-low-volume
customer orders. In order to cope with this change, good
capability in organizing different activities among various
departments is critical to the success of a company.