Sharif Digital Repository

In this paper, a novel moving object modeling suitable for multicamera correspondence is introduced. Taking into consideration the color and motion features of foreground objects in each independent video stream, our method segments the existing moving objects and constructs a graph-based structure to maintain the relational information of each segment. Using such graph structures reduces our correspondence problem to a subgraph optimal isomorphism problem. The proposed method is robust against various resolutions and orientations of objects at each view. Our system uses the fuzzy logic to employ a human-like color perception in its decision making stage in order to handle color inconstancy... 

Traditionally, the model of a resource-constrained project-scheduling problem (RCPSP) contains a single objective function of either minimizing project makespan or maximizing project net present value (NPV). In order to be more realistic, in this paper, two multi-objective meta-heuristic algorithms of multi-population and two-phase sub-population genetic algorithms are proposed to find Pareto front solutions that minimize the project makespan and maximize the project NPV of a RCPSP, simultaneously. Based on standard test problems constructed by the RanGen project generator, a comprehensive computational experiment is performed, where response surface methodology is employed to tune the... 

In this paper, a coupled hydro-mechanical formulation is developed for the simulation of interaction between hydraulic fractures and natural discontinuities within saturated porous media. The momentum balance equation of the bulk together with the momentum balance and continuity equations of the fluid phase are employed to obtain the fully coupled set of governing equations. The hydro-fracture is modeled for fluid flow using the Darcy law. The natural discontinuity on the other hand is modeled for both opening and closing modes which induce fluid flow and/or contact behavior along the crack edges. The discontinuity in the displacement field is incorporated by using the Heaviside enrichment... 

In this paper, an enriched finite element method is presented to model the interaction between the hydraulically-driven fracture and the pre-existing naturally-cemented fault within an impermeable domain. The inflow and continuity equations of the fluid phase are solved throughout the discontinuities in conjunction with the momentum balance equation of the bulk using a sequential manner based on the staggered Newton algorithm. The frictional contact behavior along the overlapped zone of the naturally-cemented fault is modeled through the extended–FEM penalty scheme. The effect of cementation bond along the natural fault is incorporated employing a modified Coulomb law to derive the... 

This paper presents a novel video encoding method for cooperative educational dissemination systems. Taking into consideration the inherent characteristics of stereo cameras framework in our educational videos and the ability of determining objects in different depths in a scene, we have proposed a novel object-based video encoding based on "sprite coding" that supports the MPEG-4 Version 1 Main profile in order to transfer distance learning videos across narrow-band transmission links such as the Internet. This paper proposes a multi-layer video object layer generation scheme with foreground moving object extraction and background sprite generation using stereo camera property. The... 

This paper presents a novel and fast homography-based tracking method to segment and track the instructor placed in front of a class board using two synchronized views. In the proposed method we estimate the instructor as a planar object and track its planar parameters. At first, the homography of board and fundamental geometry of two views are extracted using six point correspondences. The homography transformation matrix of object is calculated by obtaining three point correspondences in parallax region introduced with homography of the board. The parameters to be tracked by Kalman filter are obtained frame by frame by object's homography decomposition. Our proposed method is robust... 

In the welding process, droplet detachment regularity is important for a good welding quality. The frequency of detachment is one of influential indices for assessing the quality of GMAW in the globular transfer mode. In this paper, a relationship is estimated for measuring droplet detachment frequency in the globular GMAW. The droplet detachment frequency is estimated with a curve fitting by the least squares error (LSE) method. By using short time frequency transform (STFT) we can extract the frequency contents from the mass of drop that is one of the states in the welding model  

Maintenance costs in airlines change as time passes. As airplane ages, it needs more often and more expensive checks. Due to these growing expenses, airlines are getting more interested in cost analysis. Under financial pressure, they avoid buying new airplanes and try to maintain the old ones, but sometimes try to cut the maintenance costs by ignoring or delaying some checks. In other words, they are more disposed to spend small amount of money frequently through time, than to spend a great deal on a new airplane with low maintenance costs. Therefore, in such situations, the following questions raise that what solution is more efficient as we look dynamically to the system? For answering... 

This paper presents a stochastic framework to properly involve the uncertainties associated with demand in distribution system restoration (DSR) problem. To reach this goal, these uncertainties are represented as probabilistic scenarios corresponding to different load levels. Subsequently, the associated stochastic optimization problem is formulated such that it can be readily solved using dynamic programming approach. Moreover, a clustering technique is presented that enables the dynamic programming approach to find near-optimal solutions for the stochastic load restoration problem with reasonable computational effort. The proposed framework is implemented on a real-world test system, and... 

In this study, a novel type of LHP is innovated, fabricated, and its performance is assessed by numerous experiments. Compared to conventional LHPs, this novel design has some modifications in its evaporator and reservoir configuration. This particular type has a simpler and less costly fabrication procedure compared to other LHPs and it yields acceptable performance. Additionally, a novel method is introduced to control the temperature distribution in the system. A steel ball is placed in the evaporator to actively control the operating temperature. The ball is moved by two magnets installed outside of the evaporator. Moreover, a steady-state one-dimensional mathematical model of the... 

Statistical models for the study of solvent effects on the endo/exo selectivity of Diels-Alder reactions using molecular surface electrostatic potentials was obtained. The models show that hydrogen bond interactions of solvent molecules favor the predominance of the endo isomer for the reaction of methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and methyl trans-crotonate with cyclopentadiene whereas the effect of solvophobicity seems to be negligible. © 2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd  

In this paper, a computational model is developed for the simulation of hydro-fracture growth in naturally layered impervious media using the extended finite element method (X-FEM). The equilibrium equation of the bulk is solved in conjunction with the hydro-fracture inflow and continuity equations using the staggered Newton method. The hydro-fracture inflow is governed by the lubrication theory, where the permeability of the fracture is incorporated by taking advantage of the cubic law. The Eigen-function expansion method is utilised in order to develop enrichment functions suited for the asymptotic stress field in the vicinity of the singular points. An energy release rate-based criterion... 

Cloud computing as a new technology can provide significant advantages in electronic banking services. Adoption of this technology in e-banking services requires consideration of several factors. The main objective of this study is to identify and rank the effective factors on adoption of cloud computing in e-banking. The factors were identified from literature review in four dimension based on TOE and HOT-fit models (technological, human, environmental and organisational factors). As a result of this study, 16 factors were identified in four dimensions. Using fuzzy group decision-making model and pairwise comparison between factors (by a survey of 63 experts, academics and practical persons... 

This paper develops the seismic damage models of brick masonry veneer attached to the masonry infill without metal ties and assesses the life cycle cost of veneers subjected to earthquake excitation. Even though anchoring veneers to the backup wall has been prescribed in recent building codes, most of the existing brick veneers in seismic prone areas around the world lack the anchoring details. Besides, the damage and consequence models of masonry façades have not been presented in the FEMA-P58 database restricting detailed performance evaluation of buildings with unanchored masonry veneers. This study develops detailed finite element models to simulate various failure modes of the masonry... 

Reusing test cases across similar applications can significantly reduce testing effort. Some recent test reuse approaches successfully exploit word embedding models to semantically match GUI events across Android apps. It is a common understanding that word embedding models trained on domain-specific corpora perform better on specialized tasks. Our recent study confirms this understanding in the context of Android test reuse. It shows that word embedding models trained with a corpus of the English descriptions of apps in the Google Play Store lead to a better semantic matching of Android GUI events. Motivated by this result, we hypothesize that we can further increase the effectiveness of... 

In this paper, a computational model is developed for the simulation of hydro-fracture growth in naturally layered impervious media using the extended finite element method (X-FEM). The equilibrium equation of the bulk is solved in conjunction with the hydro-fracture inflow and continuity equations using the staggered Newton method. The hydro-fracture inflow is modeled by using the lubrication theory, where the permeability of the fracture is incorporated by taking advantage of the cubic law. The Eigen-function expansion method is utilized in order to develop enrichment functions suited for the asymptotic stress field in the vicinity of the singular points. An energy release rate-based... 

At room temperature, ZrOCl2·8H2O on montmorillonite K10 efficiently catalyzes conjugate addition of amines to a variety of conjugated alkenes such as α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, carboxylic esters, nitriles and amides under solvent-free conditions. The catalyst can be recycled for subsequent reactions without any appreciable loss of efficiency. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved  

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), which occurs commonly worldwide, is among the more costly of health and socioeconomic problems. Accurate prediction of favorable outcomes in severe TBI patients could assist with optimizing treatment procedures, predicting clinical outcomes, and result in substantial economic savings. Methods: In this study, we examined the capability of a machine learning-based model in predicting “favorable” or “unfavorable” outcomes after 6 months in severe TBI patients using only parameters measured on admission. Three models were developed using logistic regression, random forest, and support vector machines trained on parameters recorded from 2,381 severe TBI... 

Purpose: Experiencing stigma after abortion may decelerate the accumulation of human capital. Despite the importance of studying the relationship between religiosity and abortion stigma, the topic is understudied, especially in Islamic contexts. Abortion was legalized in Iran in 2005. Under the new law, far more cases are allowed for abortion. This change provided an opportunity to explore the interplay of abortion stigma, legalization and religiosity in Iran. Design/methodology/approach: Using regression analysis based on 291 completed questionnaires from two cities in Iran, this study analyzes the relation between abortion stigma level and religiosity in Iran, controlling for contextual... 

In this work, the effects of rolling parameters, cooling media, and deformation path on mechanical properties and aging behavior of hot-rolled AA2017 were studied. First, hot-rolling experiments were conducted under different working conditions, and the rolled strips were then aged at room temperature for up to 57 days during which hardness and tensile tests were carried out to record the changes in the mechanical properties of the alloy. Furthermore, due to the importance of static recrystallization on subsequent aging behavior, the rate of recrystallization was also computed. To this end, a mathematical model was developed to predict thermomechanical responses during hot rolling using the...