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

Experimental Investigation of the Performance and Exhaust Emissions of a Spark-Ignition Engine Operating with Different Proportional Blends of Gasoline and Water Ammonia Solution

This paper aims to investigate the impact of water ammonia solution (WAS)-gasoline fuel (GF) blends on SI engine exhaust emission and engine performance characteristics and compare the obtained results with those using base gasoline. This investigation used a single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled, and SI engine coupled with an AC generator to achieve this experimental work. Water ammonia solution fuel was blended with neat gasoline in volume rates of 5, 10,15,20, and 25%. The experimental investigation was conducted at an off-road engine under a constant engine speed of 3000 rpm and different load conditions. The results show that the use of ammonia solution as an addition to gasoline fuel increase the overall thermal efficiency, and G75Was25 blend obtained the maximum increase ratio of overall efficiency by 38.96% at maximum load condition in comparison to neat gasoline and reduce the specific fuel consumption compared with that of gasoline fuel. This alteration results in an elevation in CO, HC, and NOx emissions

Utilization of Arabic Calligraphy to Promote the Arabic Identity in Packaging Designs

Letters are considered an important element in graphic design. Arabic calligraphy, specifically, is an important art that give letters aesthetic form. Arabic letters are used in many different ways to form words. These words are then used in typography giving information and communicating with consumers. In Arabic packaging designs, Arabic letters are not yet utilized to give the cultural identity to the brand and graphic design of the Arabic products in general. This paper focuses at using Arabic letters and digital calligraphy to enhance packaging identity of Arabian products. Keywords: Arabic calligraphy, typography, lettering, identity, digital calligraphy, packaging desig

Seismic performance of ductile corrosion-free reinforced concrete frames

Corrosion of steel bars is the main cause of the deterioration of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. To avoid this problem, steel rebars can be replaced with glass-fiber-reinforced-polymer (GFRP). However, the brittle behaviour of GFRP RC elements has limited their use in many applications. The use of shape memory alloy (SMA) and/or stainless steel (SS) rebars can solve this problem, because of their ductile behaviour and corrosion resistance. However, their high price is a major obstacle. To address issues of ductility, corrosion, and cost, this paper examines the hybrid use of GFRP, SS, and SMA in RC frames. The use of SMA provides an additional advantage as it reduces seismic residual deformations. Three frames were designed. A steel RC frame, SS-GFRP RC frame, and SMA-SS-GFRP RC frame. The design criteria for the two GFRP RC frames followed previous research by the authors, which aimed at having approximately equal lateral resistance, stiffness, and ductility for GFRP and steel RC frames. The three frames were then analyzed using twenty seismic records. Their seismic performance confirmed the success of the adopted design methodology in achieving corrosion-free frames that provide adequate seismic performance

Structured Health Literacy Intervention for Mothers Regarding Stem Cells Therapy

Background: Stem cells have tremendous promise uses for the future to treat a variety of diseases, injuries, and other health-related conditions. Their potential is evident to promote the repair response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of applying a structured health literacy intervention regarding stem cells therapy (SCT) on the mothers' level of knowledge and attitude. Methodology: A quasi-experimental one-group pre-post test design was utilized. The study involved 302 mothers recruited from the pediatric outpatient clinics of Mansoura University Children Hospital (MUCH), Egypt. Data were collected using two structured interview sheets (knowledge and attitude). Results: There were highly statistically significant differences in mothers’ knowledge and attitude one-month post-application of the structured health literacy intervention regarding stem cells therapy compared to pre-application (P=<0.001). Conclusion: Application of a structured health literacy intervention showed a significant improvement in mothers' level of knowledge and attitude regarding stem cells therapy. Keywords: Attitude, Health Literacy, Knowledge, Stem Cells Therapy. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/61-06 Publication date: April 30th 201

Seismic Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Interior Flat Plate Connections

The demand for modular steel buildings (MSBs) has increased because of the improved quality, fast on-site installation, and lower cost of construction. Steel braced frames are usually utilized to form the lateral load resisting system of MSBs. During earthquakes, the seismic energy is dissipated through yielding of the components of the braced frames, which results in residual drifts. Excessive residual drifts complicate the repair of damaged structures or render them irreparable. Researchers have investigated the use of superelastic shape memory alloys (SMAs) in steel structures to reduce the seismic residual deformations. This study explores the potential of using SMA braces to improve the seismic performance of typical modular steel braced frames. The study utilizes incremental dynamic analysis to judge on the benefits of using such a system. It is observed that utilizing superelastic SMA braces at strategic locations can significantly reduce the inter-storey residual drifts

STR-885: FINITE ELEMENT MODELLING OF COMPOSITE HOLLOWCORE SLABS

Hollowcore slabs are commonly used for floor and roofs of residential and commercial buildings. Concrete topping, which is commonly cast for leveling purposes, can also be used to increase the load capacity of hollowcore slabs. The post-cracking behaviour of hollowcore slabs greatly affects their ultimate strength. The composite action adds another level of nonlinearity. This paper presents a comprehensive 3-D finite element model that can predict the behaviour of such composite slabs. Nonlinear springs were used to model the interface layer. The nonlinear material behaviour of the concrete and the prestressing strands were also accounted for. Innovative analysis technique to simulate the staged construction of composite hollowcore slabs is also presented. The proposed analysis is validated using results from a previous experimental study by the authors

Analytical Modeling of the Interface between Lightly Roughened Hollowcore Slabs and Cast-In-Place Concrete Topping

Hollowcore slabs are commonly used in different types of structures. They are usually topped with a 50 mm concrete topping. Structural engineers can use this topping to increase the slab load carrying capacity. North American design standards relate the horizontal shear strength at the interface between hollowcore slabs and the concrete topping to the slab surface roughness. This paper presents results of four push-off tests on hollowcore slabs supplied by two manufacturers and roughened using a conventional steel broom. The tested slabs sustained higher horizontal shear stresses than those specified by the design standards. Utilizing the data from the push-off tests, an analytical model was applied to evaluate the shear and peel stiffnesses, ks and kp, of the interface between hollowcore slabs and concrete topping. Structural engineers can utilize ks and kp values to model the composite action between hollowcore slabs from the two manufacturers and concrete topping. The analytical model was also used to evaluate the actual distribution of shear and peel stresses

Ductile Corrosion-Free GFRP-Stainless Steel Reinforced Concrete Elements

Corrosion of steel rebars is known to cause deterioration of concrete structures that can lead to catastrophic failures. To mitigate this problem, steel rebars can be replaced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) rebars. However, the lack of ductility of GFRP-reinforced elements has prevented their use in many structural applications, especially in seismic areas. Stainless Steel (SS) rebars are corrosion resistant and have adequate energy absorption and ductility. However, they are much more expensive than steel rebars. This paper proposes the combined use of SS and GFRP rebars to achieve ductile and corrosion-free elements. The first challenge for such a proposal relates to designing SS-GFRP reinforced concrete frame with adequate lateral performance in terms of initial stiffness, ductility, and strength. Design equations, which are based on a comprehensive parametric study, are developed to allow designing such a frame. A six-storey concrete frame is then designed using the proposed equations and its lateral performance is examined using pushover analysis

Coupling and nucleophilic reactions of a diazotized pyrazolopyridine derivative

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