An adaptive least squares channel estimation based on conjugate gradient approach for multipath fading CDMA systems

Multiple access interference (MAI) is the main factor affecting the performance of channel estimation techniques for code division multiple access (CDMA) systems. Although, several multi-user channel estimation algorithms have been proposed to mitigate MAI, these algorithms require high computational complexities. In this paper, we address the problem of iterative least squares (LS) mobile channel estimation at high channel efficiency that requires a short training sequence along with the spreading sequences. We employ an efficient iterative method based on conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm to reduce the computational complexity of the estimation method. Computer simulations illustrate that the proposed method performs almost identical to the exact LS estimate for reasonable training lengths.     

SimClus: an effective algorithm for clustering with a lower bound on similarity

Clustering algorithms generally accept a parameter k from the user, which determines the number of clusters sought. However, in many application domains, like document categorization, social network clustering, and frequent pattern summarization, the proper value of k is difficult to guess. An alternative clustering formulation that does not require k is to impose a lower bound on the similarity between an object and its corresponding cluster representative. Such a formulation chooses exactly one representative for every cluster and minimizes the representative count. It has many additional benefits. For instance, it supports overlapping clusters in a natural way. Moreover, for every cluster, it selects a representative object, which can be effectively used in summarization or semi-supervised classification task. In this work, we propose an algorithm, SimClus, for clustering with lower bound on similarity. It achieves a O(log n) approximation bound on the number of clusters, whereas for the best previous algorithm the bound can be as poor as O(n). Experiments on real and synthetic data sets show that our algorithm produces more than 40% fewer representative objects, yet offers the same or better clustering quality. We also propose a dynamic variant of the algorithm, which can be effectively used in an on-line setting.     

Using OLAP and multidimensional data for decision making

Managers see information as a critical resource and require systems that let them exploit it for competitive advantage. One way to better use organizational information is via online analytical processing and multidimensional databases (MDDBs). OLAP and MDDBs present summarized information from company databases. They use multidimensional structures that let managers slice and dice views of company performance data and drill down into trouble spots. For over a decade, proponents have touted these tools as the ultimate executive information system, but most of the hype comes from product vendors themselves. Based on our experience with several OLAP tools, we have developed a more pragmatic approach to the design of multidimensional information systems that lets managers make the most of their companies' information assets     

Computer program for automated sleep depth estimation

In this article, we present a new implementation of an amplitude-independent method for continuous-scale sleep depth estimation. Having been implemented as an add-on analysis module under commercially available biosignal recording and analysis software, it can be easily applied in clinical routine. The software gives the user full freedom to change all the analysis parameters inside theoretical limits. Computational sleep depth profiles produced by the presented software compare favourably with visual classifications. Future work will concentrate on systematic optimization of analysis parameters, further evaluation of the method with disturbed sleep and application of the method for automated adaptive sleep analysis.     

Occurrence and removal of microbial indicators from municipal wastewaters by nine different MBR systems

Nine different membrane bioreactor (MBR) systems with different process configurations (submerged and external), membrane geometries (hollow-fiber, flat-sheet, and tubular), membrane materials (polyethersulfone (PES), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) and membrane nominal pore sizes (0.03-0.2 μm) were evaluated to assess the impact of influent microbial concentration, membrane pore size and membrane material and geometries on removal of microbial indicators by MBR technology. The log removal values (LRVs) for microbial indicators increased as the influent concentrations increased. Among the wide range of MBR systems evaluated, the total and fecal coliform bacteria and indigenous MS-2 coliphage were detected in 32, 9 and 15% of the samples, respectively; the 50th percentile LRVs were measured at 6.6, 5.9 and 4.5 logs, respectively. The nominal pore sizes of the membranes, membrane materials and geometries did not show a strong correlation with the LRVs.     

Agility and production flow layouts: An analytical decision analysis

The term ‘agile manufacturing’ has referred to operational aspects of a manufacturing company concerning their ability to produce customized products at mass production prices and with short lead times. A core issue faced within agile manufacturing is the need for appropriate and supporting production and operations systems. Many design dimensions of agility and agile manufacturing exist. To help attain this goal for integrating the many design dimensions, operations infrastructure and capacity must be carefully planned to manage production flow, and thus production layout planning takes on an increasingly important role. Given the importance of these dimensions in response to agility, this paper seeks to make a contribution by providing insights into a decision aid for evaluating production flow layouts that support and enhance the agile manufacture of products. Layout design has a significant impact on the performance of a manufacturing or service industry system and has been an active research area for many decades. Strategic evaluation of production layouts requires consideration of both qualitative and quantitative factors (managerial, organizational, and technical). This paper makes use of the Analytical Network Process (ANP) which captures interdependencies among different criteria, sub-criteria and dimensions, an evident characteristic of production flow layouts in complex agile manufacturing environments. An application case study exemplifying the practical usefulness of this type of model describes how management, after implementation of the model, made a mid-course correction related to the production layout initially selected.     

Two methods for the calculation of the degree of an approximate greatest common divisor of two inexact polynomials

The calculation of the degree d of an approximate greatest common divisor of two inexact polynomials f(y) and g(y) reduces to the determination of the rank loss of a resultant matrix, the entries of which are functions of the coefficients of f(y) and g(y). This paper considers this issue by describing two methods to calculate d, such that knowledge of the noise level imposed on the coefficients of f(y) and g(y) is not assumed. One method uses the residual of a linear algebraic equation whose coefficient matrix and right hand side vector are derived from the Sylvester resultant matrix S(f,g), and the other method uses the first principal angle between a line and a hyperplane, the equations of which are calculated from S(f,g). Computational results on inexact polynomials whose exact forms have multiple roots of high degree are shown and very good results are obtained. These results are compared with the rank loss of S(f,g) for the calculation of d, and it is shown that this method yields incorrect results for these examples.     

Evaluation of an adaptive and intelligent educational hypermedia for enhanced individual learning of mathematics: A qualitative study

The purpose of this study is to design a personalized adaptive and intelligent web based tutoring system based on learning style and expert system named UZWEBMAT and to evaluate its effects on 10th grade students’ learning of the unit of probability. In the study, initially, learning objects were prepared in three different ways in relation to three sub-learning areas of Visual–Auditory–Kinesthetic (VAK) learning style for each subject of the probability unit. These were appropriate for secondary school mathematics curricula. Then, they were transferred into the digital environment. Each student’s dominant learning style determines the content to which s/he will be directed since s/he is directed to the content that is appropriate for his/her learning style. The course to be followed by the students within UZWEBMAT and their browsing around the pages are decided by expert system integrated into the system. This expert system sets the situations in which s/he will get solution supports and the course s/he will follow in accordance with the performance of the student. Hereby, each student may follow a different course, and the solution supports s/he will get may also differ highlighting the individual learning. The sample of the study consists of 81 10th grade students and 3 mathematics teachers from two high schools in Trabzon, Turkey. Qualitative data were obtained both from the teachers and students participating in the study in order to answer the research questions about the implementation and evaluation of UZWEBMAT for mathematics teaching in a high school classroom. Obtained data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis methods. According to the results of the present study, positive opinions of students and teachers such as taking into account the individual learning differences and deriving mathematical relations and formulas through exploration became prominent. In addition, there were also other positive opinions of students and teachers such as providing permanent learning and introducing learning responsibility to the students. In this sense, it was concluded that UZWEBMAT is a beneficial instrument for both students and teachers.     

On Logical Foundations of Multilevel Secure Databases

It is envisaged that the application of the multilevel security (MLS) scheme will enhance flexibility and effectiveness of authorization policies in shared enterprise databases and will replace cumbersome authorization enforcement practices through complicated view definitions on a per user basis. However, the critical problem with the current model is that the belief at a higher security level is cluttered with irrelevant or inconsistent data as no mechanism for attenuation is supported. Critics also argue that it is imperative for MLS database users to theorize about the belief of others, perhaps at different security levels, an apparatus that is currently missing and the absence of which is seriously felt.The impetus for our current research is the need to provide an adequate framework for belief reasoning in MLS databases. In this paper, we show that these concepts can be captured in a F-logic style declarative query language, called MultiLog, for MLS deductive databases for which a proof theoretic, model theoretic and fixpoint semantics exist. This development is significant from a database perspective as it now enables us to compute the semantics of MultiLog databases in a bottom-up fashion. We also define a bottom-up procedure to compute unique models of stratified MultiLog databases. Finally, we establish the equivalence of MultiLog's three logical characterizations—model theory, fixpoint theory and proof theory.     

Destructive and non-destructive evaluation of concrete for optimum sand to aggregate volume ratio

Aggregates are the biggest contributor to concrete volume and are a crucial parameter in dictating its mechanical properties. As such, a detailed experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of sand-to-aggregate volume ratio (s/a) on the mechanical properties of concrete utilizing both destructive and non-destructive testing (employing UPV (ultrasonic pulse velocity) measurements). For investigation, standard cylindrical concrete samples were made with different s/a (0.36, 0.40, 0.44, 0.48, 0.52, and 0.56), cement content (340 and 450 kg/m³), water-to-cement ratio (0.45 and 0.50), and maximum aggregate size (12 and 19 mm). The effect of these design parameters on the 7, 14, and 28 d compressive strength, tensile strength, elastic modulus, and UPV of concrete were assessed. The careful analysis demonstrates that aggregate proportions and size need to be optimized for formulating mix designs; optimum ratios of s/a were found to be 0.40 and 0.44 for the maximum aggregate size of 12 and 19 mm, respectively, irrespective of the W/C (water-to-cement) and cement content.