Showing papers by "Jaypee Institute of Information Technology published in 2008"

Some coincidence theorems and stability of iterative procedures

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to obtain coincidence theorems and study the problem of stability of iterations for solving coincidence equations on a general setting. Several special cases are discussed.

Design and Evaluation of a PBL-Based Course in Analog Electronics

Abstract: The undergraduate program of electronics and communication engineering at the Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology (CIET), Punjab, India, has a course named Analog Electronics in its fourth semester. The usual approach has been to divide the course into lectures, tutorials, and practicals. The lecture plan is prepared beforehand by the faculty and the course duration in 16-18 weeks. The drawbacks to this usual approach have been many, the primary ones being the lack of attention given to the missing application and design part. As an alternative to the traditional method, problem-based learning (PBL) was introduced and practiced in Analog Electronics. While the mode of external evaluation remains the same-that of the university holding end-of-semester theory and practical examinations-a unique strategy has been worked out which integrates PBL and the traditional approach of Lecture, Tutorial, and Practical (L/T/P) classes. This paper describes this new approach, the design of problems to cover the subject matter, the preparation of students for PBL, the evaluation strategy, and the feedback that students give in support of PBL. A significant difference was seen between the attitudes of the treatment group (PBL based) and control group (L/T/P based). Additionally, presentation and teamwork skills were also greatly improved in the PBL class.

Evolution of mating isolation between populations of Drosophila ananassae.

Abstract: Prezygotic mating isolation has been a major interest of evolutionary biologists during the past several decades because it is likely to represent one of the first stages in the transition from populations to species. Mate discrimination is one of the most commonly measured forms of prezygotic isolation and appears to be relatively common among closely related species. In some cases, it has been used as a measure to distinguish populations from subspecies, races, and sister species, yet the influences of various evolutionary mechanisms that may generate mate discrimination are largely unknown. In this study, we measured the level and pattern of mate discrimination among 18 populations of a cosmopolitan drosophilid species, Drosophila ananassae, from throughout its geographical range and its sister species, Drosophila pallidosa, which has a restricted geographical distribution in the South Pacific Islands. In addition, we measured genetic differentiation between all 18 populations using mitochondrial DNA polymorphism data. Mate discrimination varies considerably throughout the species range, being higher among populations outside the ancestral Indonesian range, and highest in the South Pacific. Our results suggest that colonization and genetic differentiation may have an influence on the evolutionary origin of mate discrimination. Our phylogeographical approach clarifies the ancestral relationships of several populations from the South Pacific that show particularly strong mate discrimination and suggests that they may be in the early stages of speciation. Furthermore, both the genetic and behavioral results cast doubt on the status of D. pallidosa as a good species.

Parallel crawler architecture and web page change detection

Abstract: In this paper, we put forward a technique for parallel crawling of the web. The World Wide Web today is growing at a phenomenal rate. It has enabled a publishing explosion of useful online information, which has produced the unfortunate side effect of information overload. The size of the web as on February 2007 stands at around 29 billion pages. One of the most important uses of crawling the web is for indexing purposes and keeping web pages up-to-date, later used by search engine to serve the end user queries. The paper puts forward an architecture built on the lines of client server architecture. It discuses a fresh approach for parallel crawling the web using multiple machines and integrates the trivial issues of crawling also. A major part of the web is dynamic and hence, a need arises to constantly update the changed web pages. We have used a three-step algorithm for page refreshment. This checks for whether the structure of a web page has been changed or not, the text content has been altered or whether an image is changed. For The server we have discussed a unique method for distribution of URLs to client machines after determination of their priority index. Also a minor variation to the method of prioritizing URLs on the basis of forward link count has been discussed to accommodate the purpose of frequency of update.

Effect of Introduction of Fault and Imperfect Debugging on Release Time

Abstract: One of the most important decisions related to the efficient management of testing phase of software development life cycle is to determine when to stop testing and release the software in the market. Most of the testing processes are imperfect once. In this paper first we have discussed an optimal release time problem for an imperfect faultdebugging model due to Kapur et al considering effect of perfect and imperfect debugging separately on the total expected software cost. Next, we proposed a SRGM incorporating the effect of imperfect fault debugging and error generation. The proposed model is validated on a data set cited in literature and a release time problem is formulated minimizing the expected cost subject to a minimum reliability level to be achieved by the release time using the proposed model. Solution method is discussed to solve such class of problem. A numerical illustration is given for both type of release problem and finally a sensitivity analysis is performed.

A new single step process for synthesis and growth of ZnGeP2 crystal

Abstract: A new one-step process for synthesis and growth of zinc–germanium–phosphide, ZnGeP2 (ZGP), is reported for the first time herein using a three-zone resistance furnace by the horizontal gradient freeze technique. A safe and proper temperature scheme has been obtained for both synthesis and growth of ZGP crystals via the melt growth route from Zn, Ge and P powder. The prepared material has been investigated using powder X-ray diffraction which shows the correct ZGP tetragonal phase. EPMA results are also obtained to estimate the compositional homogeneity of the grown crystal.

Understanding the photophysics of 4-nitro-1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid: A controlled excited state proton transfer

Abstract: This paper reports on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in 4-nitro-1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (NHNA) as compared to the excited state photophysics of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA). Normally, HNA does not show an ESIPT, although the other regioisomer of the molecule, (3, 2HNA), does show an ESIPT. The calculated excited state double-well potential, charge density, bond length and dipole moment evince that, in contrast to the parent compound HNA, NHNA is conducive to ESIPT. Emission bands were attributed to the neutral form (410 nm), the intermolecular proton transfer form (490 nm) and the intramolecular proton transfer (zwitterionic) form (560 nm). NHNA showed phosphorescence arising from the open conformer, whereas HNA showed no phosphorescence. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding in NHNA seems to hinder the formation of the open conformer in polar solvent. A complete picture of the photophysical processes in NHNA after photoexcitation was obtained from the time-resolved emission along with kinetic analysis.

Designing Problems for Problem-Based Learning Courses in Analogue Electronics: Cognitive And Pedagogical Issues

Abstract: 1 INTRODUCTION From a constructivist's perspective, discourse is a central mechanism for learning (Palinscar, 1998). For ages, educationalists have been working on making the "theory" as practical as possible and making the "practice" as theoretically interesting as possible. This effort is the guiding force to relate constructivism as theory of learning to the practice of instruction (Savery & Duffy, n. d.). Constructivism is a philosophical view on how we come to understand or know, and the instructional principles guide us in the practice of teaching and the design of learning environments. Orchestrating constructive discourse is a complex process, whether in a classroom or otherwise (Leinhardt, 1993). Over a period of time, ever since the need to introduce problem-based learning (PBL) was understood and practiced in engineering courses the world over, its positive effects have been discussed and published time and again (Cooper, 1997; Besterfield-Sacre et al, 1997; Albanese & Mitchell, 1993). While the knowledge construction is structured, but limited, in a teacher centered classroom, the same is much more complicated, but elaborate, in the student centered approach. In PBL, thus, when the teachers and students co-construct the instructional agenda in a student centered classroom, the role of the facilitator becomes very critical as he has to juggle with many simultaneous goals and has to coordinate pedagogical actions with semantic knowledge. In India, particularly in North India, where approximately 39 engineering colleges are established with an annual intake of 16,000 students, no instance of practicing PBL is known. Thus, the only method of imparting technical education in degree courses is the traditional lecture/tutorial/practical (L/T/P) approach. Encouraged by the success of PBL in engineering courses (Maskell & Grabau, 1998; Striegel & Rover, 2002; Linge & Parsons, 2006) elsewhere in world, and considering the importance of analogue electronics as a basic subject in the curriculum of electronics and communication engineering, PBL was introduced in this course using a two threaded approach. The existing class of 132 students was split into two parts - the Control Group (CG) and the Treatment Group (TG). The selection of students for PBL was random. As the students went through the ups and downs of PBL and team work, progressive improvement in their knowledge, technical and communication skills, and attitude was seen and tabulated by taking periodic reflections and evaluations. In the end, their performances were compared using common tests, designed to include all aspects of knowledge and skill. This paper highlights the designing of problems; cognitive and pedagogical issues while conducting the course; analyses of solutions submitted by the groups; and the difference in the performance of CG and TG. 2 COGNITIVE AND PEDAGOGICAL ISSUES 2.1 Syllabus of analogue electronics The syllabus of Analogue Electronics (Theory) EC202 is set to cover the following topics: 1. high Frequency analysis of transistors 2. large signal amplifiers 3. multistage amplifiers 4. feedback in amplifiers 5. oscillators 6. regulated power supplies. The experiments are made to include following tasks in the practical component EC210 (Palinscar, 1998), which are broadly classified as: 1. to study the characteristics of all types of large signal amplifiers 2. to study the response of all types of sinusoidal oscillators 3. to study the working of a regulated power supply. 2.2 Time allotment, teaching pedagogy and evaluation strategy The existing class of 132 students was split into two groups: the TG was taught using PBL and the CG was taught by L/T/P. Initially 25 students were randomly selected for the TG. However, after one session, four of these students left and the TG finally had 21 students. …

Proposed lead molecules against Hemagglutinin of avian influenza virus (H5N1).

Abstract: Human infection with avian influenza H5N1 is an emerging infectious disease characterized by respiratory symptoms and a high fatality rate Hemagglutinin and neuraminidase are the two surface proteins responsible for infection by influenza virus Till date, neuraminidase has been the major target for antiviral drugs In the present study we chose hemagglutinin protein as it mediates the binding of the virus to target cells through sialic acid residues on the host cell-surface Hemagglutinin of H5 avian influenza (PDB ID: 1JSN) was used as the receptor protein Ligands were generated by structure-based de novo approach and virtual screening of ZINC database A total of 11,104 conformers were generated and docked into the receptor binding site using 'High Throughput Virtual Screening' We proposed potential lead molecules against the receptor binding site of hemagglutinin based on the results obtained from in silico docking and hydrogen bond interaction between the ligand and the 1JSN protein molecule We found sialic acid derivative 1 to be the lead molecules amongst the ligands generated by structure based de novo approach However the molecules obtained from ZINC database were showing better docking scores as well as conserved hydrogen bond interactions Thus we proposed ZINC00487720 and ZINC00046810 as potential lead molecules that could be used as an inhibitor to the receptor binding site of hemagglutinin They could now be studied in vivo to validate the in silico results

Quasi-monoenergetic GeV electrons from the interaction of two laser pulses with a gas

Abstract: A scheme is proposed for the acceleration of electrons generated during the ionization of a gas by two laser pulses. The electrons created from the ionization of neutral atoms near the rising edge of the pulse do not gain sufficient energy. If a prepulse is used before the main pulse then the prepulse removes electrons from the outer shells, and the main laser pulse interacts with the electrons in the inner shells of high atomic number gases, such as krypton and argon. The electrons are generated close to the peak of the main laser pulse and gain energy in GeV with a small spread in the energy and low emittance angle.

Event patterns for Object-Oriented requirement analysis

Abstract: Object Oriented Analysis (OOA) of requirements has always been the most difficult, critical and an important step in developing applications using object-oriented paradigm. Identification of types of objects from the requirements is the primary goal of every OOA. Most commonly recommended approach to identify objects is to search for nouns directly from the requirements or indirectly from the Use Cases derived from requirements. Experience has shown that both these approaches are inefficient in their own ways. In this paper, we have proposed a new approach of capturing Object Oriented requirements based on analysis of events and actions occurring in the system and then identify all static and dynamic components of the system from it. Our approach captures requirements in the form of Event Patterns that are templates in our Event-oriented approach analogous to Use Cases in the conventional Object-orientation. These templates are used in finding out object oriented components of the system during the process of OOA. We have also proposed an Event Meta-model that forms the basis of our event based class identification process.

Alkaline protease from senesced leaves of invasive weed Lantana camara

Abstract: Protease from senesced leaves of the weed Lantana camara was purified in a 2-step procedure involving ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex G-250 gel permeation chromatography. The Sephadex-G-250 fraction of senesced leaves of Lantana camara showed 28.31 fold with a yield of 6.19%. The enzyme was shown to have a low molecular weight of 43 kda by SDS-PAGE. It was strongly activated by metal ions such as Cu2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Co2+ and Mn2+. It remained active at 60°C, pH 10.5 even after 1 h of incubation when casein was used as substrate. The compatibility of the enzyme was studied with commercial and local detergents, 60% activity of the enzyme was retained even after 1 h of incubation at pH 10.0. The easy availability of the senesced leaves of this common weed makes it a cheaper enzyme source and potential additive in detergents. Key words: Lantana camara, senescenced leaves, alkaline protease, thermostability.

Emotion estimation using physiological signals

Abstract: Human thought is inherently emotional and emotions are an essential and productive aspect of human thought and action. Emotions though supposed to be erratic from the early days, are proved to be a mechanism that encompasses readiness to act, expectations, focus to goals, appraisal - of self and others and the resulting reactions. Cognition by itself means the perception, experience and expression of emotions. While experiencing the emotion, there are also physiological changes[1,7] taking place in the human body, like variations in the heart rate(ECG/HRV), skin conductance(GSR), breathing rate(BR), blood volume pulse(BVP),brain waves (EEG), temperature and muscle tension, and these are some of the metrics to sense emotive co-efficient. The subjects experiencing emotions in a higher magnitude differ from those who can regulate these emotional experiences and such a factor is named as Emotional Intelligence. This difference in experience is due a triad - value, expectation and reality; which forms an emotional self-structure. Though there is always an emotional experience in some magnitude, the expression may be evident or completely concealed or the subject is deceptive or tries to hide the emotion by not expressing. This paper looks at the ways in which the stimuli for triggering off the emotional state of the subject are identified, applied and hence perceived by the subject(s) and parameters like GSR and BVP or PR [23] and their variations discovered to conclude the emotional state of the subject. The subject also gives his feedback about the emotions he is undergoing and hence facilitates validation.

A novel approach to video matting using automated scribbling by motion analysis

Abstract: Video matting can be described as a method of extracting the foreground object from each frame of a video and composite (or transfer) it to a different background or a different video. An automatic scribbling approach based on the motion of the foreground object in a video is introduced. Probability maps (PMs) are computed by analysing the motion of object in the video. In the proposed technique the corrupted PMs are refined and reconstructed using morphological techniques. The frames are scribbled with reference to the reconstructed PMs. Closed form solution based matting technique uses the scribbled frame to yield the matte and the foreground.

Improved BER analysis of OFDM communication system on correlated Nakagami-m fading channel

Abstract: In this paper, performance of OFDM digital communication systems have been analyzed over correlated Nakagami-m fading channel using maximal ratio combining (MRC) diversity at the receiver. We have studied statistical characteristics of inter-carrier-interference over correlated Nakagami-m fading channel and also presented signal to interference noise ratio (SINR) over correlated Nakagami-m fading channels. We also derived a novel mathematical expression of bit error rate (BER) for QPSK/QFSK OFDM systems.

Object-Oriented Analysis Using Event Patterns

Abstract: Object Oriented Analysis (OOA) of requirements has always been the most difficult, critical and an important step in developing applications using object-oriented paradigm. Identification of types of objects from the requirements is the primary goal of every OOA. Most commonly recommended approach to identify objects is to search for nouns directly from the requirements or indirectly from the Use Cases derived from requirements. Experience has shown that both these approaches are inefficient in their own ways. In this paper, we have proposed a new approach of capturing Object Oriented requirements based on analysis of events and actions occurring in the system and then identify all static and dynamic components of the system from it. Our approach captures requirements in the form of Event Patterns that are templates in our Event-oriented approach analogous to Use Cases in the conventional Object-orientation. These templates are used in finding out object oriented components of the system during the process of OOA. We have also proposed an Event Meta-model that forms the basis of our event based class identification process.

On reverse engineering an object-oriented code into UML class diagrams incorporating extensible mechanisms

Abstract: Reverse engineering is the key idea for reconstruction of any existing system. In this paper, we propose an algorithm to reverse engineer an object-oriented code into Unified Modeling Language (UML) class diagram. Our algorithm is very general in nature and can be applied to any object-oriented code irrespective of the object-oriented programming language. In our paper we consider an object-oriented pseudocode similar to C++ to implement our algorithm. Some of the researchers have dealt in the past the problem of reverse engineering an object-oriented code to UML class diagrams. However, none of these researchers have treated all the constructs available in UML class diagrams. Unlike the previously done work on reverse engineering into UML, our algorithm generates rules for a complete set of constructs available in UML class diagrams. It includes classes, relationships, objects, attributes, operations, inheritance, associations, interfaces & other extensible mechanisms also. This algorithm can be viewed as a solution to reverse engineer any available object-oriented software. An application for the implementation of above said rules using C++ code is also included in the paper. We thoroughly compare our work with the similar type of earlier work in this area and uncover the deficiencies in these previous available works. Moreover our motive in this paper is to prepare rules to reverse engineer C++ code into UML class diagrams and not to generate any tools.

Target detection by adaptive noise cancellation

Abstract: The target-detection problem in the context of two-dimensional active bearing estimation of an underwater (mobile) target from a fast-moving planar array of sensors is addressed. A modified version of the method of adaptive noise cancellation, which adopts a novel approach for securing the requisite estimates of reference-noise samples, is proposed to solve the detection problem. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method is capable of performing target-detection and signal-arrival time estimation with a high degree of reliability even at SNRs as low as −70 dB.

Release time decision policy of software employed for the safety of critical system under uncertainty

Abstract: Critical systems exist all around us, from nuclear power plants to chemical processing plants to heart monitors and emergency phone systems etc. As software and processors encompass critical systems, the risk involved because of software failure is unimaginable. The main emphasis of software industries developing these systems is to put a great deal of deliberation and thought into making these systems as safe as possible. Safety is a nebulous concept, and is therefore difficult to define or measure. In our paper we measure safety in the form of risk and the costs associated with it. We have formulated an optimization problem for determining the optimal time at which the software testing is stopped and system is ready for use in operational phase with the prime objective of minimizing risk cost subject to budget constraints and failure intensity. We have also considered uncertainty and ambiguities in the definition of cost function and risk function coefficients, available budget, failure intensity due to intense competition in the global market, varying requirements of the client, rapid evolution of information technology, system complexity, intended flexibility, poor data base to name a few. For this we have defined the constrained optimization problem under fuzzy environment. Finally we have discussed fuzzy optimization technique for solving the problem with a help of numerical illustration.

Unique motifs identify PIG-A proteins from glycosyltransferases of the GT4 family

Abstract: The first step of GPI anchor biosynthesis is catalyzed by PIG-A, an enzyme that transfers N-acetylglucosamine from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine to phosphatidylinositol. This protein is present in all eukaryotic organisms ranging from protozoa to higher mammals, as part of a larger complex of five to six 'accessory' proteins whose individual roles in the glycosyltransferase reaction are as yet unclear. The PIG-A gene has been shown to be an essential gene in various eukaryotes. In humans, mutations in the protein have been associated with paroxysomal noctural hemoglobuinuria. The corresponding PIG-A gene has also been recently identified in the genome of many archaeabacteria although genes of the accessory proteins have not been discovered in them. The present study explores the evolution of PIG-A and the phylogenetic relationship between this protein and other glycosyltransferases. In this paper we show that out of the twelve conserved motifs identified by us eleven are exclusively present in PIG-A and, therefore, can be used as markers to identify PIG-A from newly sequenced genomes. Three of these motifs are absent in the primitive eukaryote, G. lamblia. Sequence analyses show that seven of these conserved motifs are present in prokaryote and archaeal counterparts in rudimentary forms and can be used to differentiate PIG-A proteins from glycosyltransferases. Using partial least square regression analysis and data involving presence or absence of motifs in a range of PIG-A and glycosyltransferases we show that (i) PIG-A may have evolved from prokaryotic glycosyltransferases and lipopolysaccharide synthases, members of the GT4 family of glycosyltransferases and (ii) it is possible to uniquely classify PIG-A proteins versus glycosyltransferases. Besides identifying unique motifs and showing that PIG-A protein from G. lamblia and some putative PIG-A proteins from archaebacteria are evolutionarily closer to glycosyltransferases, these studies provide a new method for identification and classification of PIG-A proteins.

Improvement in Accuracy for Design of Multidielectric Layers Microstrip Patch Antenna

Abstract: In this paper multidielectric layer antenna has been designed using conformal mapping techniques with improved accuracy. Formulating an algorithm has eliminated effect of inaccuracies that can have compounding effect from the design stage to fabrication of multidielectric layer microstrip antenna. The algorithm has been successfully tested on both thin and thick dielectric substrates having low permittivity. The antenna designed for the given resonant frequency has been observed to be corresponding to the patch dimension with accuracy exactly to sixth decimal place.

Towards Real-Time Monocular Video-Based Avatar Animation

Abstract: Most of the commercial motion capture techniques, be they marker-based or marker-free, are either expensive or require complex laboratory setup. These constraints limit their use for home entertainment or interactive gaming oriented applications. In this paper we present a real-time system for color marker-based human motion capture in a monocular image space for avatar animation. The proposed system requires a single webcam and cheap color markers for its operation resulting in low cost and user friendliness. Real-time efficiency is achieved by tracking through variable-sized window search based on a process noise-adaptive Kalman filter. The depth information is recovered with the aid of human anthropometric information in a perspective projection model. Finally experimental results of the system are presented as tested with a number of video sequences.

Performance comparison using five ANN methods for classification of EEG signals of two mental states

Abstract: The Paper demonstrate the comparison of performance by five artificial neural network (ANN) technique (a) Gradient Descent Back Propagation (b) Levenberg-Marquardt (c) Resilient Back Propagation (d) Conjugate Learning Gradient Back Propagation and (e) Gradient Descent Back Propagation with movementum for classification of planning of right hand movement with respect to an awake relaxed state. Wavelet packet transform (WPT) was used for Feature extraction of the relevant electroencephalogram (EEG) signals.

A novel approach to automatic object detection using intensity pattern recognition in YCbCr Color space

Abstract: Object detection, is an important element of various computer vision areas, such as image retrieval, shot detection, video surveillance, etc. which require automatic segmentation or location of regions of interest in images which can be further analyzed by more computationally demanding techniques to produce a correct interpretation. This paper explores the possibility of performing this task of object detection in any general environment using the intensity pattern information in individual channels of YCbCr Color space. It was observed that prominent objects could be easily and efficiently detected by the algorithm irrespective of the environment they are kept in. The efficiency of the algorithm boasts the possibilities of further simplistic models for the invigorating task as of image detection for complicated computer vision applications.

Modeling aspects of current calculation of 4H-SiC Schottky diode

Abstract: This paper present modeling aspects for 4H-SiC Schottky diode using drift diffusion model. Drift diffusion model consists of the current continuity equations for electrons and holes, Poissonpsilas equation and the equations for electron and hole currents. Using this model physical surface trait, state of art of device has been extracted to understand the current condition of 4H-SiC Schottky barrier diode. In Schottky diodes current transport takes place by three mechanisms, diffusion of carriers from the semiconductor into the metal, thermionic emission of carriers across the Schottky barrier and quantum-mechanical tunneling through the barrier. For these three mechanisms current calculation using drift diffusion model has been done.