A flexible method to create wave file features

Digital audio signal is one of the most important data type at present, it is used in various vital applications, such as human knowledge, security and banking applications, most applications require signal identification and recognition, and to increase the efficiency of these applications we must seek a method to represent the audio file by a small set of values called a features vector. In this paper research we will introduce an enhanced method of features extraction based on k-mean clustering. The method will be tested and implemented to show how the proposed method can reduce the efforts of voice identification, and can minimize the recognition time a set of voice extracted features must be used instead of using the voice wave file

Deaggregation of Probabilistic Ground Motions for Selected Jordanian Cities

Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) approach was adopted to investigate seismic hazard distribution across Jordan. Potential sources of seismic activities in the region were identified, and their earthquake recurrence relationships were developed from instrumental and historical data. Maps of peak ground acceleration and spectral accelerations (T=0.2 and T=1.0 sec.) of 2% and 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years were developed. This study deaggregated the PSHA results of 2% and 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years results of twelve Jordanian cities to help understand the relative control of these sources in terms of distances and magnitudes. Results indicated that seismic hazard across these cities is mainly controlled by area sources located along the Dead Sea Transform (DST) fault system. Cities located at short distances from the DST tend to show close deaggregation behavior. Some discrepancies may exist due to the proximity or remoteness of these cities relative to the DST seismic sources and local seismicity. The modal or most probable distance distribution indicated that the distance to the earthquake which contributes most to the hazard at each city is mainly controlled by shaking along faults associated with near seismic area sources. The influence of adjacent seismic sources to the seismic hazard of each city is more evident for the long period spectral acceleration. Distant sources, such as the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus, Suez and the southern region of the Gulf of Aqaba are relatively low, but can not be neglected due to the intrinsic uncertainties and incomplete seismic data

Influence of Storage Temperature and Duration of Tomato Leaf Samples on Proline Content

In arid and semi-arid countries such as Jordan, shortage in water sources might affect agricultural development and reduces the effectiveness of economic benefits of most crops planted in such areas. Tomato is an important agricultural crop and faces severe drought stress due to climate changes, therefore, measurement of proline accumulation in plant tissues is used as an indicator for drought stress tolerance. This research was conducted at Jarash University Campus in northern Jordan. A field experiment was carried out to investigate the impact of different storage temperature (+4ºC, - 20ºC and -80ºC) and different storage durations (0, 3, 6 and 11 weeks) on proline content in five different Jordanian tomato landraces. Results indicated that the average free proline content for samples tested directly after leaves collection was 7.1 µmol/g. Proline content in leaves stored at +4 ºC for 3, 6, and 11 weeks was 4.8, 1.8, and 1.1µmol/g, respectively, while for -20ºC was 11.8, 7.9, and 9.5 µmol/g for samples stored for 3, 6, 11 weeks respectively. In contrast the highest values for these parameters were obtained from samples stored at -80ºC, the average measured values of free proline content were 9.5, 7.8, and 12.9 µmol/g at 3, 6, and 11 weeks of storage, respectively. Based on the results obtained by this research, it is recommended to measure proline content directly after leaves collection. However, for large number of samples, keeping the samples at -20ºC not longer than six weeks could be a solution. Finally, we highly recommend the development of in-field method for measurement of free proline content

Does job value boost self-efficacy and protect against burnout among teachers in Oman?

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to examine if the perception of teaching value and a teacher's self-efficacy (SE) are related to burnout. Previous research has shown a strong relation between teachers SE and burnout. Rarely, however, job value has been included in any of the previous studies. Method. A stratified random sample (N =2446) of Omani teachers was drawn. Three measures: Job value, Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) and the teachers' sense of efficacy scale (TSES) were used. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test the proposed factor structure of the measures as well as the proposed structural model. Results. The invariance tests proved that the structure of constructs and the relations between constructs were invariant across gender. Job value significantly related to both SE and burnout dimensions. Consistent with predictions, SE of student engagement related to all three burnout dimensions; whereas the other two dimensions of SE didn’t relate to burnout dimensions in the expected direction. Job value and SE explained significant variances in each of the burnout dimensions. Discussion and Conclusion. The results of this study highlight the importance of job value and SE of engaging students as cognitive self-regulatory mechanisms used in the stressful situations like teaching and to help control stress and burnout. Ministry of education, media and socity at large should be aware of the social status of teaching and teachers and provide more respect to the teachers and their job. Such respect would improve the morale of teachers and help them become more efficacious and less exhausted

Analysis of fingerprint minutiae to form fingerprint identifier

Detailed human fingerprints, almost unique, are difficult to change and are permanent on an individual's life, making them suitable as long-term signs of human identity. They may be employed by the police or other authorities to identify individuals who wish to conceal their identity, or identify incapacitated or deceased persons and therefore cannot identify them, as in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Fingerprints images are very important data type due to wide applications requiring this type, so extraction a fingerprint identifier is a vital issue. In this paper we will analyse the fingerprints images in order to extract minutiae from the images, these minutiae will be used to construct the fingerprint identifier, the proposed procedure will be implemented and tested to ensure that the procedure generates a simple and unique identifier, which can be easily used to recognize the fingerprint in any recognition system

Computational design and digital fabrication of folded timber sandwich structures

This paper presents a detailed geometric design-to-fabrication procedure for a new type of timber sandwich structure that combines a folded assembly method and integral mechanical joints. The paper also investigates the hypothesis that such a combination creates a fast and highly-accurate assembly method for modular timber construction. A digital design procedure is first presented and includes a computational method to segment and unfold a target building profile and a computational method to digitally-fabricate segments as timber sandwich panels with integral press-fit and rotational press-fit (RPF) joints. Two structures were built to validate the procedure and hypothesised construction speed: a 30m house comprising 6 identical folded timber arches, built in one week; and a 42m canopy structure comprising 4 pairs of varying folded timber `wings', built in two weeks. The as-built structures were 3D scanned and a defect analysis was conducted to assess the reliability and precision of assembled geometries. Both structures were highly accurate, with average absolute surface error generally less than the thickness of the timber material and an average angular defect for RPF joints generally less than 1 degree. In the few regions where larger surface error was observed, a strong correlation was seen with angular defect error and joint interlock failure in RPF joints at that location. Preliminary structural testing of the system also showed it to have a good load carrying capacity for its weight

5000 yr of paleoseismicity along the southern Dead Sea fault

International audienceS U M M A R Y The 1000-km-long left-lateral Dead Sea fault is a major tectonic structure of the oriental Mediterranean basin, bounding the Arabian Plate to the west. The fault is located in a region with an exceptionally long and rich historical record, allowing to document historical seismicity catalogues with unprecedented level of details. However, if the earthquake time series is well documented, location and lateral extent of past earthquakes remain often difficult to establish, if only based on historical testimonies. We excavated a palaeoseismic trench in a site located in a kilometre-size extensional jog, south of the Dead Sea, in the Wadi Araba. Based on the stratigraphy exposed in the trench, we present evidence for nine earthquakes that produced surface ruptures during a time period spanning 5000 yr. Abundance of datable material allows us to tie the five most recent events to historical earthquakes with little ambiguities, and to constrain the possible location of these historical earthquakes. The events identified at our site are the 1458 C.E., 1212 C.E., 1068 C.E., one event during the 8th century crisis, and the 363 C.E. earthquake. Four other events are also identified, which correlation with historical events remains more speculative. The magnitude of earthquakes is difficult to assess based on evidence at one site only. The deformation observed in the excavation, however, allows discriminating between two classes of events that produced vertical deformation with one order of amplitude difference, suggesting that we could distinguish earthquakes that started/stopped at our site from earthquakes that potentially ruptured most of the Wadi Araba fault. The time distribution of earthquakes during the past 5000 yr is uneven. The early period shows little activity with return interval of ∼500 yr or longer. It is followed by a ∼1500-yr-long period with more frequent events, about every 200 yr. Then, for the past ∼550 yr, the fault has switched back to a quieter mode with no significant earthquake along the entire southern part of the Dead Sea fault, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. We computed the Coefficient of Variation for our site and three other sites along the Dead Sea fault, south of Lebanon, to compare time distribution of earthquakes at different locations along the fault. With one exception at a site located next to Lake Tiberias, the three other sites are consistent to show some temporal clustering at the scale of few thousands years

Comparison of plate and shell timber-composite sandwich structures

The variety and relative ubiquity of automated workshop machines has led to a recent explosion in the design of digitally-fabricated structures. The range of materials used in these systems is immense, but timber, composites, and polymers are the most common, due to their high machinability and excellent structural characteristics. This study aims to compare two digital fabrication strategies for timbercomposite sandwich structures. This first strategy produces modular plate components which form a kitof-parts system that can assemble flexibly into a desired building envelope. It utilises orthogonal pressfit joints similar to that employed for previous digitally-fabricated structures, but with improved structural characteristics and long-term dimensional stability arising from use of a timber-composite hybrid material. The second strategy produces continuous shell components which can form any target curvilinear profile. It utilises newly-developed rotational press-fit joints, which self-stabilise under applied bending load. Material hybridity in this instance again enables improved structural and durability behaviours, with additional structural potential also possible via post-tensioning methods used to interlock the geometry

Rapid Assembly with Bending-Stabilised Structures

This project seeks to enhance press-fit fabrication techniques through the use of hybrid material construction technology and bending-stabilised forms. It overcomes certain press-fit limitations and undertakes a systematic improvement to connection design, which in combination with material and form enhancements allows for an increase in spanning capacities and robustness of press-fit structures, an increase in the reliability and precision of assembled geometry and retention of the critical press-fit benefits of lightweight, high-speed and uncomplicated construction

Digital fabrication strategies for timber thin-walled sections

A rise in digital fabrication technologies has led to numerous recent advances in the design and manufacture of woodworking joints. Computational generative processes can be used to create a part with integral mechanical attachments for friction-fit, adhesion-less connections between parts. These processes can additionally create machine code for production of such parts on computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutters. This paper investigates such computational processes for digital design and manufacture of timber thin-walled structural sections. Assembly procedures are first presented for rectangular hollow sections and I-sections, with a series of timber prototypes produced to demonstrate their CNC production. An experimental analysis on square hollow sections under uniaxial compressive loading is then conducted. Tight fit digitally-fabricated sections are seen to possess a structural capacity approaching that of the glued sections. Prototypes with different assembly tolerances and grain directions produce a range of novel failure modes and give insight into potential failure paths of digitally-fabricated timber sections