AROMA: Automatic Generation of Radio Maps for Localization Systems

WLAN localization has become an active research field recently. Due to the wide WLAN deployment, WLAN localization provides ubiquitous coverage and adds to the value of the wireless network by providing the location of its users without using any additional hardware. However, WLAN localization systems usually require constructing a radio map, which is a major barrier of WLAN localization systems' deployment. The radio map stores information about the signal strength from different signal strength streams at selected locations in the site of interest. Typical construction of a radio map involves measurements and calibrations making it a tedious and time-consuming operation. In this paper, we present the AROMA system that automatically constructs accurate active and passive radio maps for both device-based and device-free WLAN localization systems. AROMA has three main goals: high accuracy, low computational requirements, and minimum user overhead. To achieve high accuracy, AROMA uses 3D ray tracing enhanced with the uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) to model the electric field behavior and the human shadowing effect. AROMA also automates a number of routine tasks, such as importing building models and automatic sampling of the area of interest, to reduce the user's overhead. Finally, AROMA uses a number of optimization techniques to reduce the computational requirements. We present our system architecture and describe the details of its different components that allow AROMA to achieve its goals. We evaluate AROMA in two different testbeds. Our experiments show that the predicted signal strength differs from the measurements by a maximum average absolute error of 3.18 dBm achieving a maximum localization error of 2.44m for both the device-based and device-free cases.Comment: 14 pages, 17 figure

Effects of Drill String Movement and Changes in PDC Bit Geometry on Mud Flow Behavior

Drill bit is the most pivotal component of the bottom-hole assembly and a successful hydraulic design of it will confidently contribute to an efficient drilling performance with a better cuttings transport especially at the downhole zone. That could be achieved by a combination of managing pressure drop and flow rates across the drill bit. In this project, Computational Fluid Dynamics is used in the form of ANSYS CFX Simulation to investigate the effect of changing geometry for PDC (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact) bit on the drilling fluid flow behavior in terms of pressure drop and velocity trends. Additionally, the bit rotational movement effect is simulated for different RPM and different inlet velocities to study the effect of the movement on pressure drop of the system

Unconventional TV Detection using Mobile Devices

Recent studies show that the TV viewing experience is changing giving the rise of trends like "multi-screen viewing" and "connected viewers". These trends describe TV viewers that use mobile devices (e.g. tablets and smart phones) while watching TV. In this paper, we exploit the context information available from the ubiquitous mobile devices to detect the presence of TVs and track the media being viewed. Our approach leverages the array of sensors available in modern mobile devices, e.g. cameras and microphones, to detect the location of TV sets, their state (ON or OFF), and the channels they are currently tuned to. We present the feasibility of the proposed sensing technique using our implementation on Android phones with different realistic scenarios. Our results show that in a controlled environment a detection accuracy of 0.978 F-measure could be achieved.Comment: 4 pages, 14 figure

Application of Treated Oil Sands Drill Cuttings Waste in Micropiles Construction

A micropile is constructed by drilling a hole, placing a steel reinforcing element, grouting it using neat cement. However, cement production consumes energy and generates carbon dioxide. Implementing waste materials in construction applications represents a sustainable solution for many waste management problems. On the other hand, oil sands drill cuttings waste represents one of the most difficult challenges for the oil sands mining sector. Reducing the amount oil sands drill cutting waste sent to landfill offers one of the best solutions for waste management. This thesis presents an innovative solution for application of treated oil sands waste (TOSW) in grout mixtures used for micropiles construction. In this study, the physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics of the treated oil sands drill cuttings waste were investigated. Fresh and hardened properties for micropiles grouts incorporating the treated solid drill cuttings waste were evaluated. Moreover, the effects of employing these grout mixtures on micropiles cross-section, surface interface properties and axial behaviour were investigated. The results showed that incorporating up to 20% of the treated solid drill cuttings waste as a partially replacement of cement will not adversely affect the properties of the grout. On the other hand, leaching tests evidenced the reduction in the release of heavy metals from the tested mixtures compared to that of the raw waste indicating successful stabilization/solidification of such waste in the grout. In addition, it was noticed an enhancement in the grout body diameter for micropiles installed using the developed grout, while maintaining the micropile surface properties. Moreover, micropiles installed using grout incorporating a high percentage of the TOSW (up to 30%) exhibited the same axial behaviour as that of micropile installed using conventional grout. Therefore, incorporating TOSW in micropile applications has high potential for producing cost efficient micropiles along with providing a green oil sands waste management solution

Synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of some new pyridines

One-pot condensation of malononitrile (1), 4-methylpentan-2-one (2), aryl carboxaldehyde (3a-f) and ammonium acetate in ethanol afforded 2-amino-5-isopropyl-4-(4-aryl)-6-methylnicotinonitriles (4a-f). The antioxidant activity of the new synthesized compounds was evaluated and the result showed all compound exhibited weak anti-oxidant activities

Can dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging change treatment planning in endometrial carcinoma?

AbstractPurposeTo detect the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in the assessment of myometrium and cervix infiltration and lymph node (L.N) status in patients with endometrial carcinoma.Patients and methodsForty patients with pathologically proven endometrial carcinoma underwent preoperative MRI assessment in the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt over three years from 2009 to 2012. Every case had one stage for the T2 weighted images (T2 WIs) alone and another stage for the combined T2 and DCE images according to the revised international federation of gynecology and obstetrics (FIGO) classification. The pathological findings after surgery were the reference standard.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy of T2 WIs in detection of deep myometrial invasion were 80%, 72%, 70%, 84% and 79%, respectively and 87%, 90%, 85%, 92% and 87%, respectively for DCE-MRI. For cervical infiltration, T2 WIs showed 78.5%, 88%, 73%, 90.5% and 82.5%, respectively while DCE-MRI showed 92%, 97%, 92%, 97% and 95%, respectively. T2 WIs and DCE-MRI had 100% sensitivity and 85% specificity for the detection of L.N metastasis.ConclusionDCE-MRI can accurately detect invasion of the myometrium and cervix in cases of endometrial carcinoma

Effects of Drill String Movement and Changes in PDC Bit Geometry on Mud Flow Behavior

Drill bit is the most pivotal component of the bottom-hole assembly and a successful hydraulic design of it will confidently contribute to an efficient drilling performance with a better cuttings transport especially at the downhole zone. That could be achieved by a combination of managing pressure drop and flow rates across the drill bit. In this project, Computational Fluid Dynamics is used in the form of ANSYS CFX Simulation to investigate the effect of changing geometry for PDC (Polycrystalline Diamond Compact) bit on the drilling fluid flow behavior in terms of pressure drop and velocity trends. Additionally, the bit rotational movement effect is simulated for different RPM and different inlet velocities to study the effect of the movement on pressure drop of the system

Managing tourists’ needs and expectations: ِAn empirical analysis of the Egyptian airline sector

An in-depth review of related literature has revealed that a majority of travel and tourism researchers tend to define quality as meeting tourists’ needs and expectations. Since tourists (Passengers’) expectations of service quality may vary at different stages in the service process, it has been strongly argued that in practice, most airlines measure passenger perceptions of their service offerings in order to evaluate and understand the airline’s performance level without clear knowledge of tourists’ expectations for service in each stage. Consequently, Lack of understanding or misunderstanding such expectations could pose serious problems in resource allocation decisions. On the one hand, this study therefore attempts to develop a new service quality management instrument called TNE-Matrix, to be used as a futuristic and a predictive airline strategic planning tool, which integrate airline service bundle planning, service delivery process enhancement and service process control. The results from the survey of the Egyptian airline frontline managers and employees suggest that TNE-Matrix is highly valued as a predictive and a daily management tool, used to empower frontline employees to act on information received regarding the passengers’ needs and expectations. On the other hand, it uses SERVQUAL model to measure perceived airline service quality from the passengers’ viewpoint. The results of both steps indicated that enhancing the communication process between tourists and the airline frontline staff, and particularly flight attendants, has been highlighted as a key benefit of using the TNE-Matrix in the services delivery process and consequently in managing tourists’ needs and expectations proactively

A Giant Euthyroid Endemic Multinodular Goiter with No Obstructive or Compressive Symptoms

Diffusely enlarged thyroid glands (goitres) are becoming increasingly infrequent. However, in some geographical areas they are still relatively common and can cause compressive symptoms involving the trachea, oesophagus, and recurrent laryngeal nerve. Surgical treatment of diffusely enlarged thyroid glands requires a high level of expertise and may lead to severe complications. Here we present a case report of surgical treatment of an extremely enlarged thyroid gland, found in a 61-year-old female patient. The patient underwent surgery, and a thyroidectomy was performed. The resulting specimen weighed 4.7 kg (10.4 lbs). Histopathological examination revealed a multinodular goitre with multiple cysts and areas of haemorrhage and necrosis. Surgical excision can immediately resolve local symptoms and is often recommended when substernal extension is evident. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest thyroid gland ever reported in the literature. Only experienced surgeons should treat large thyroid goitres. Ideally, large thyroid goitres should be treated before they reach a substernal component, otherwise any sudden growth in gland size could seriously compromise respiration