Sharif Digital Repository

Functional behavior of the brain can be captured using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Even though fMRI signals have temporal and spatial structures, most studies have neglected the temporal structure when inferring mental states (brain decoding). This has two main side effects: 1. Degradation in brain decoding performance due to lack of temporal information in the model, 2. Inability to provide temporal interpretability. Few studies have targeted this issue but have had less success due to the burdening challenges related to high feature-to-instance ratio. In this study, a novel model for incorporating temporal information while maintaining a low feature-to-instance ratio, is... 

In this work, we have examined the problem of distributed consensus averaging over senor networks from a novel point of view considering the need for security. We have proposed a method for incorporating privacy into the scalable average consensus mechanisms. Our proposed method, Random Projections Method (RPM), is lightweight and transparent since it is not based on cryptography and does not require any change in the fusion system. RPM is based on introducing a simple, yet effective pre-fusion algorithm. We mathematically derived the correctness of RPM and analyzed its effect on convergence of the system through simulation. Robustness of RPM against honest-but-curious adversaries is... 

In this work we have examined the problem of consensus information fusion from a novel point of view, challenging the fundamental assumption of mutual trust among the fusion parties. In quest for a method to make information fusion possible while preserving the mutual confidentiality and anonymity of the fused information even in case of collusion of the malicious nodes, we propose the Blind Information Fusion Framework (BIFF). In BIFF, which is a secure information fusion framework, the nodes are not aware of the actual information they are processing, yet converging to the intended result(s). We formulate BIFF according to the anonymization transform and discuss its robustness against... 

In this work, we have examined the distributed consensus averaging problem from a novel point of view considering the need for privacy and anonymity. We have proposed a method for incorporating security into the scalable average consensus mechanisms proposed in the literature. Random Offsets Method (ROM) is lightweight, transparent and flexible since it is not based on cryptography, does not require any change in the fusion system and can be used optionally by some nodes who care about their privacy. In this method, which is based on noisiflcation of nodes' information, we achieve robustness against n - 1 colluding adversaries in a network of n nodes, which is maximum level of robustness... 

This paper introduces Adaptive Path Selection and Loading (APSL) as a multi-path data transmission scheme for mitigating the effects of misbehaving nodes in mobile ad-hoc networks. In APSL, misbehavior resilience is achieved by adaptively loading Reed-Solomon (RS) coded data into multiple node-disjoint paths. In order to maximize packet delivery ratio, paths are loaded according to Path State Information (PSI) which dynamically estimates the availability and stability of each path. We evaluated APSL through simulation in terms of packet delivery ratio, normalized average end-to-end delay and overhead. APSL can achieve more than 90% packet delivery ratio. Compared to adaptive single path and... 

In a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) radar system, proper design of transmit signal and receive filter is an advantageous tool to improve the detection performance. Thus, in this paper, we consider the problem of transmit code and receive filter design, in order to maximize the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) at the receiver while enforcing a similarity constraint between the transmit space-time code (STC) and a reference STC which has a desirable ambiguity function. We will show that by solving such constrained optimization problem through successive iterations, our proposed method leads to satisfactory results  

Weighting elements to achieve radiation patterns with desired characteristics is a classical work in phased array antennas. These characteristics can be low sidelobe level, narrow beamwidth, high directivity, pattern nulling in special angle and etc. For each of these characteristics, different methods have been introduced. Most of methods have been presented for uniform arrays, however there are lots of methods to obtain a desired pattern for antennas with non-uniform element distances. The problem with these methods is complexity or not very good results. In this paper, fast and easy methods based on Least Square Error that leads to good results are presented. In addition, weighting of... 

Distributed generation connected with AC, DC, or hybrid loads and energy storage systems is known as a microgrid. Campus microgrids are an important load type. A university campus microgrids, usually, contains distributed generation resources, energy storage, and electric vehicles. The main aim of the microgrid is to provide sustainable, economical energy, and a reliable system. The advanced energy management system (AEMS) provides a smooth energy flow to the microgrid. Over the last few years, many studies were carried out to review various aspects such as energy sustainability, demand response strategies, control systems, energy management systems with different types of optimization... 

This paper resolve the salinity-dependent interactions of polar components of crude oil at calcite-brine interface in atomic resolution. Molecular dynamics simulations carried out on the present study showed that ordered water monolayers develop immediate to a calcite substrate in contact with a saline solution. Carboxylic compounds, herein represented by benzoic acid (BA), penetrate into those hydration layers and directly linking to the calcite surface. Through a mechanism termed screening effect, development of hydrogen bonding between –COOH functional groups of BA and carbonate groups is inhibited by formation of a positively-charged Na+ layer over CaCO3 surface. Contrary to the common... 

An important tool for assessing a radar's performance is the ambiguity function. On the other hand, many different schemes have been designed for the transmit waveforms of a MIMO radar. For each one, a criterion has been chosen to improve the performace, e.g. achieving better missed detection. In this paper, considering the ambiguity function as the benchmark, we propose a waveform design scheme, which optimizes the ambiguity function of the MIMO radar system  

Flow hydrodynamics of laminar falling film of aqueous Li Br solution (Li Br - H2O) on a horizontal elliptical tube has been investigated in this research. The film velocity distribution and film thickness, namely, the flow characteristics are determined by solving analytically simultaneous simplified Navier - Stokes equations and continuity equation in polar and Cartesian coordinates. The analysis is based on steady state laminar flow of falling liquid film of Li Br - H2O on a horizontal elliptical tube in polar model and Cartesian model (CM), for cases in which traction on the film surface is considered negligible. Models are compared with each other in three cases of aspect ratios (Ar),... 

Velocity distributions in (r,θ) directions are evaluated by solving simultaneous simplified Navier-Stokes equations (NSE) and continuity equation (CE) in polar coordinate. The analysis is based on steady state laminar flow of thin falling liquid film on a horizontal circular tube, for cases in which traction on the film surface is considered negligible. It is a common geometry for part of engineering problems such as evaporator, condenser, absorber, generator of absorption chillers and other similar units in mechanical and chemical engineering. Knowledge of the velocity profiles is usually needed for: 1 - solving governing energy and species equations 2- estimating the average and film... 

Velocity distributions in (r,θ) directions are evaluated by solving simultaneous simplified Navier-Stokes equations (NSE) and continuity equation (CE) in polar coordinate. The analysis is based on steady state laminar flow of thin falling liquid film on a horizontal circular tube, for cases in which traction on the film surface is considered negligible. It is a common geometry for part of engineering problems such as evaporator, condenser, absorber, generator of absorption chillers and other similar units in mechanical and chemical engineering. Knowledge of the velocity profiles is usually needed for: 1- solving governing energy and species equations 2- estimating the average and film... 

This work concerns the experimental investigation of surfactant alternating CO 2 injection in carbonate rocks. The core samples provided from a low-temperature fractured light oil reservoir, located in southwest Iran. The experiments were designed to observe the effect of CO 2-foam injection on gas mobility and oil recovery at different surfactant concentrations. The core samples were initially saturated with synthetic/field brine, 5,000 ppm, and then flooded with live oil to reach connate water saturation at reservoir condition, 115F and 1,700 psia. The commercial surfactant used was sodium lauryl sulfate as an anionic surfactant. The results of this work, along with field-scale simulation... 

Knowledge of Air-water two phase flows is significant to different engineering systems such as chemical reactors and power plant and petrochemical and petroleum industry. One of the most industrial cases of two phase flow is two phase flow in vertical large pipes. In this paper in order to find two phase flow behavior along vertical large diameter pipes we simulate air inlets with different number of holes and different hole diameters in the same flow rate of air. In addition, flow characteristics such as cross-sectional void fraction and velocity and pressure were considered. To achieve this aim, main equations of flow have been developed for investigation of flow behavior in air-water two... 

The present work investigates the thermal performance of a five turn Open Loop Pulsating Heat Pipe (OLPHP). The effects of working fluid namely water and ferrofluid, heat input, ferrofluid concentration, charging ratio, and orientation will be considered. Experimental results show that using ferrofluids can enhance the thermal performance in comparison with the case of distilled water. In addition, applying a magnetic field on the OLPHP charged with ferrofluid reduces its thermal resistance. Variation of the ferrofluid concentration results in different thermal performance of the OLPHP. Best charging ratio for the distilled water and ferrofluid without magnetic field is 60 % in most of the... 

Accurate estimation of the capacity curve of offshore jacket structures to achieve performance levels and ductility is of great importance. Proper modeling of compressive members to correctly investigate global and local buckling is crucial in estimation of the capacity curve. Buckling modes and deformations due to local buckling can be considered, if the compressive braces are modeled by shell or solid elements. The purpose of this paper is to achieve the correct compressive behavior of braces with solid type elements and investigate the effects of five different parameters such as D/t, L/D, mesh size, mesh size ratio, and imperfections. ABAQUS FE software is used for this purpose. The... 

Accurate estimation of the capacity curve of offshore jacket structures to achieve performance levels and ductility is of great importance. Proper modeling of compressive members to correctly investigate global and local buckling is crucial in estimation of the capacity curve. Buckling modes and deformations due to local buckling can be considered, if the compressive braces are modeled by shell or solid elements. The purpose of this paper is to achieve the correct compressive behavior of braces with solid type elements and investigate the effects of five different parameters such as D/t, L/D, mesh size, mesh size ratio, and imperfections. ABAQUS FE software is used for this purpose. The... 

Accurate estimation of the capacity curve of offshore jacket structures to achieve performance levels and ductility is of great importance. Proper modeling of compressive members to correctly investigate global and local buckling is crucial in estimation of the capacity curve. Buckling modes and deformations due to local buckling can be considered, if the compressive braces are modeled by shell or solid elements. The purpose of this paper is to achieve the correct compressive behavior of braces with solid type elements and investigate the effects of five different parameters such as D/t, L/D, mesh size, mesh size ratio, and imperfections. ABAQUS FE software is used for this purpose. The... 

Masking effect is the most important problem in Noise Radars. Recently, some waveform design methods to resolve this problem have been developed, however this paper will show an important fact: 'sidelobe suppression increases the Periodicity of signal and, consequently, decreases unpredictability'. Eventually, an appropriate level for sidelobe reduction is introduced