A framework to explore results in multiple media information aggregated search

On web information exists in the form of text, audio, image, and video objects often referred to multiple media objects. Vertical web search provides the search of multiple media information usually via keyword-based queries. The search results in different media formats usually presented in separate panels/tabs; integration is mostly non-blended. Therefore, results exploration via vertical web search engines require the selection of a source and scrolling of a linear ranked list of results. Relationships in the results presented in separate panels/tabs are mostly not considered. Search aggregations unify results from several vertical web sources via blended integration, but exploration still requires scrolling of a linear ranked list. Multimedia search frameworks provide the exploration of results in different media formats but more focused towards the retrieval issues. We proposed a multiple media information search framework to address issues, particularly in aggregated search. Our search framework provides a mechanism to explore results via non-linear ways. The search framework realized by suggesting a framework architecture design and instantiating a search tool. The effectiveness of blended integration and browsing is measured via precision and click through rate respectively. Search task support in results exploration mechanism measured via task-based evaluation. We also validated the conformance of various search/exploration attributes discussed in the state-of-the-art in our frameworks.     

Development and performance characterization of a new standard mercury manometer

A new standard mercury manometer has been developed to calibrate low vacuum gauges in the range from atmospheric pressure to 1 mbar. It consists of a cistern that is a small stainless steel container used as mercury reservoir and also as the first Hg column connected to a long glass tube used as the second Hg column. Manometer scale covers the difference in Hg heights in two columns up to the length equivalent to 1000 mbars. This is a novel low cost manometer with simple design, compact fabrication, better accuracy, easy operation, low vibration, and thermal stability. In order to evaluate the performance of the equipment, its generated pressures are compared with those of secondary standard, i.e., calibrated capacitance diaphragm gauge, giving the average correction factor 0.998. Different uncertainties of the generated pressures are discussed in detail along with the evaluation of correction factors. The relative uncertainty in the higher pressure side is found to be in the range of 10(-4) which is within the limit (approximately 10(-4)).     

Metal-on-metal hip simulator study of increased wear particle surface area due to 'severe' patient activity

This study investigated changes in metal-on-metal (MOM) hip wear and wear particle characteristics arising from a more aggressive patient activity level compared with normal walking. The test hypothesis was that 'severe'-gait conditions will change wear, wear particle sizes, and morphology owing to a decline in joint lubrication. Four carbon MOM hip bearings 40 mm high were subjected to normal-walking and fast-jogging simulations in an orbital hip joint simulator with 25 per cent alpha-calf serum as a lubricant. Co-Cr-Mo wear particles were extracted using an enzymatic method, and prolate ellipsoid equations were used to estimate particle volume and surface area. Fast-jogging simulations generated a sevenfold increase in volumetric wear, a 33 per cent increase in mean wear particle size, and a threefold increase in the number of larger (needle) particles compared with walking. This resulted in a twentyfold increase in total wear particle surface area per 10(6) cycles compared with walking, thereby confirming our hypothesis. The clinical significance of this result suggests that highly active MOM patients may exhibit greater ion release than less active patients.     

Removal of mercaptans from a gas stream using continuous adsorption-regeneration

The removal of the mercaptan, 1-methyl-1-propanethiol, from aqueous solutions using a non-porous, electrically conducting carbon-based adsorbent (Nyex 1000) was investigated. The adsorption process was found to be rapid (equilibrium capacity achieved within 5 minutes) with low adsorptive capacity (of the order of 0.4 mg g(-1)) when compared with activated carbon. Electrochemical regeneration of the Nyex 1000 in a simple divided electrochemical cell within a sequential batch treatment unit restored 100% of the adsorbent's adsorptive capacity using treatment times as low as 20 minutes by passing a current of 0.5 A. The sorptive characteristics of a Nyex-water slurry were also modelled and investigated both in a bubble column and in a continuous adsorption-regeneration treatment system. It was demonstrated that the continuous removal-destruction system could achieve a step reduction in challenge gas concentration of approximately 75% for a period of 35 minutes with a current of 5 Amps. This was attributed to mass transfer enhanced by a combination of adsorption and chemical reaction with free chlorine species generated in the electrochemical process.     

A method for real power transfer allocation using multivariable regression analysis

A multivariable regression (MVR) approach is proposed to identify the real power transfer between generators and loads. Based on solved load flow results, it first uses modified nodal equation method (MNE) to determine real power contribution from each generator to loads. Then, the results of MNE method and load flow information are utilized to determine suitable regression coefficients using MVR model to estimate the power transfer. The 25-bus equivalent system of south Malaysia is utilized as a test system to illustrate the effectiveness of the MVR output compared to that of the MNE method. The error of the estimate of MVR method ranges from 0.001 4 to 0.007 9. Furthermore, when compared to MNE method, MVR method computes generator contribution to loads within 26.40 ms whereas the MNE method takes 360 ms for the calculation of same real power transfer allocation. Therefore, MVR method is more suitable for real time power transfer allocation.     

Probabilistic assessment of loss in revenue generation in demand-driven production

In Demand-driven Production with Just-in-Time inputs, there are several sources of uncertainty which impact on the manufacturer??s ability to meet the required customer??s demand within the given time frame. This can result in a loss of revenue and customers, which will have undesirable impacts on the financial aspects and on the viability of the manufacturer. Hence, a key concern for manufacturers in just-in-time production is to determine whether they can meet a specific level of demand within a given time frame, to meet the customers?? orders and also to achieve the required revenue target for that period of time. In this paper, we propose a methodology by which a manufacturer can ascertain the probability of not meeting the required demand within a given period by considering the uncertainties in the availability of production units and raw materials, and the loss of financial revenue that it would experience as a result.     

Absorption and emission properties of Ho doped lead-zinc-borate glasses

This paper reports on the affect of lead content on the absorption and emission spectra of the Ho³⁺ ion doped lead-zinc-borate glasses in the composition (mol%) of (20 − x)PbO-20ZnO-(59 + x)B₂O₃-1.0Ho₂O₃ where x = 0, 5,10,15 of PbO content with λ_exc = 405 nm. The experimental absorption band energies have satisfactorily been correlated with the theoretical results with an r.m.s deviation of zero with the following correction factors obtained by a least square fit analysis: ΔE¹ = 348.495936 cm^− 1, ΔE² = 1.436043 cm^− 1, ΔE³ =  46.481575 cm^− 1, Δξ_4f = − 28.512979 cm^− 1, Δα = 55.508936 cm^− 1, Δβ = − 1394.339908 cm^− 1 and Δγ = 1208.424336 cm^− 1. By applying the Judd-Ofelt intensity parameter Ω₂ has been found to be linearly decreasing with the PbO content from 5 to 10 mol% and then increasing. And also radiative (A, A_T, β, τ_r) characteristic factors of the luminescent transitions (⁵I₈ ← ⁵F_3,4,5 and ⁵S₂) of the glasses have been evaluated. Stimulated emission cross-sections (σ_p^E) of the measured emission transitions of holmium glasses have also been computed.     

Adaptive reconfiguration of data networks using genetic algorithms

Genetic algorithms are applied to an important, but little investigated, network design problem, that of reconfiguring the topology and link capacities of an operational network to adapt to changes in its operating conditions. These conditions include: which nodes and links are unavailable; the traffic patterns; and the quality of service (QoS) requirements and priorities of different users and applications. Dynamic reconfiguration is possible in networks that contain links whose endpoints can be easily changed, such as satellite channels, terrestrial wireless connections, and certain types of optical connections. We report preliminary results that demonstrate the feasibility of performing genetic search quickly enough for online adaptation.     

Recent developments in catalyst synthesis using DBD plasma for reforming applications

The catalyst has a significant role in gas processing applications such as reforming technologies for H₂ and syngas production. The stable catalyst is requisite for any industrial catalysis application to make it commercially viable. Several methods are employed to synthesize the catalysts. However, there is still a challenge to achieve a controlled morphology and pure catalyst which majorly influences the catalytic activity in reforming applications. The conventional methods are expansive, and the removal of the impurities are major challenges. Nevertheless, it is not straightforward to achieve the desired structure and stability. Therefore, significant interest has been developed on the advanced techniques to take control of the physicochemical properties of the catalyst through non-thermal plasma (NTP) techniques. In this review, the systematic evolution of the catalyst synthesis using NTP technique is elucidated. The emerging DBD plasma to synthesized and effective surface treatment is reviewed. DBD plasma synthesized catalyst performance in reforming application for H₂ and syngas production is summarised. Furthermore, the status of DBD plasma for catalyst synthesis and proposed future avenues to design environmentally suitable and cost-effective synthesis techniques are discussed.