Enhancing Automatic Annotation for Optimal Image Retrieval

Image search and retrieval based on content is very cumbersome task particularly when the image database is large. The accuracy of the retrieval as well as the processing speed are two important measures used for assessing and comparing the effectiveness of various systems. Text retrieval is more mature and advanced than image content retrieval. In this dissertation, the focus is on converting image content into text tags that can be easily searched using standard search engines where the size and speed issues of the database have been already dealt with. Therefore, image tagging becomes an essential tool for image retrieval from large image databases. Automation of image tagging has received considerable attention by many researchers in recent years. The optimal goal of image description is to automatically annotate images with tags that semantically represent the image content. The speed and accuracy of Image retrieval from large databases are few of the important domains that can benefit from automatic tagging. In this work, several state of the art image classification and image tagging techniques are reviewed. We propose a new self-learning multilayered tagging framework that can address the limitations of current approaches and provide mutual accuracy improvement between the recognition layer and the annotation layer. Our results indicate that the proposed framework can improve the overall accuracy of information retrieval in a variety of image databases

Thermo-economic analysis for optimal selection of desalination techniques based on combined cycle power plant

PhD ThesisScarcity of water has become a challenging problem for countries in arid and semi-arid regions. Seawater desalination is considered to be one of the main sources of potable water in areas such as the Middle East and North Africa, with dependency on desalination reaching 90% in some of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Libya is one of those counties which suffers from a lack of natural water resources. This study focuses on the prospect of coupling desalination plants with existing Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) to produce potable water. This study was based on seawater in the north of Libya and on a source of brackish water in the south of Libya at Waddan City. The study begins by considering the improvement that could be achieved in CCPP performance by cooling the inlet air using a waste heat driven Absorption Chiller (AC) and then continues to determine the optimal selection of the desalination technique suitable for the environmental conditions in Libya. The methodology depends on validated simulation models developed from IPSEpro software. The CCPP model was validated against vendor data and the AC was validated against manufacturer data. Different desalination units, Multi-Effect Desalination with Thermal Vapour Compression (MED-TVC), two-pass Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Single Effect Desalination (SED) desalination systems were modelled and validated against actual operation data. After validation the performance of each model was investigated from energy, exergy and economic standpoints for design and off-design conditions using real Libyan environmental data. This study has, for the first time, compared the exergy efficiency, power consumption and economic characteristics of different configurations of two-pass RO with energy recovery devices such as a Pressure Exchanger (PX) and an Energy Recovery Turbine (ERT). The results shows that when PX is used in the first and second stages of RO the exergy efficiency increases by 81% and the specific power consumption declines of more than 100%. MED-TVC Gain Output Ratio (GOR) and exergy efficiency are improved by adding a preheater on the distillate water stream to increase the feed water temperature, and the amount of steam extracted from the CCPP is reduced. A comparison between two-pass RO or MED-TVC coupled with a CCPP has been carried out using thermodynamic and economic analysis. The result shows that the N. M. Eshoul PhD Thesis ii Newcastle Uinversity power plant exergy efficiency deceases by about 4% when MED-TVC desalination plant is coupled with a CCPP but only 0.5% when RO is coupled with a CCPP. Also the net power output declines by about 22.5MW when MED-TVC desalination is used but only 5MW when the CCPP is coupled with a RO with PX desalination plant. In addition, economic analysis shows that RO desalination is a better process compared with MED-TVC, either standalone or coupled with CCPP. An exergy and economic analysis of two different desalination technologies to produce drinking water from brackish water was investigated. The analysis shows that the exergy efficiency of a single-pass RO unit is nearly double that of single effect desalination and the cost of water produced by a single effect desalination unit is higher than that of a single-pass reverse osmosis unit by about 60%. This confirms that reverse osmosis is the suitable desalination system in Libya.Ministry of Education and the Cultural Affairs Department of the Libyan Embassy in London for providing managerial and financial suppor

Transmissibility and mortality trends of COVID-19 epidemic in Egypt

Background: Since identification of the first case on Feb. 14, Egypt had implemented several control measures. This research aimed at study the time trend of the transmissibility and mortality of COVID 19 in Egypt. Methods: Published data on daily reported cases and deaths since the start of the epidemic till week 19 were used. We estimated the basic reproductive number (R0) during the early phase of the epidemic using the simple exponential growth method (SEG) and time dependent method (TD). Then we estimated time varying effective reproductive number (Re) after implementation of the control measures by applying the TD method. Moreover, the trend in the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) throughout the study period was studied. Results: With SEG method, R0 was found to be 2.26 (2.15–2.38) and 2.58 (2.43–2.72) for infectious period of 8 and 10 days, respectively. While by the TD method, R0 was estimated to be 2.34 (95% CrI: 2.05–2.64) and 3.01 (95% CrI: 2.64–3.40) for mean ± SD of SI equals 5.8 ± 2.6 and 7.5 ± 3.4, respectively. With TD method, Re decreased from the initial value of R0 to reach 1.30 (95% crI: 1.17–1.45) in week 7. After that Re values fluctuated closely around 1. CFR reached its peak (7.7%) on April 12 then it decreased to its lowest value (3.4%) after two months before increasing slightly again to (4.1%) in the last days. Conclusion and recommendation: The initial Basic reproductive number was high in Egypt. Effective reproductive number dropped after control measures till fluctuating around one. CFR also declined over time but slight increase in the last days was observed. After relaxation of the control measures, we recommend the instantaneous monitoring of the transmissibility and mortality in Egypt

Brainchop: Next Generation Web-Based Neuroimaging Application

Performing volumetric image processing directly within the browser, particularly with medical data, presents unprecedented challenges compared to conventional backend tools. These challenges arise from limitations inherent in browser environments, such as constrained computational resources and the availability of frontend machine learning libraries. Consequently, there is a shortage of neuroimaging frontend tools capable of providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions for whole brain preprocessing and segmentation while preserving end-user data privacy and residency. In light of this context, we introduce Brainchop (http://www.brainchop.org) as a groundbreaking in-browser neuroimaging tool that enables volumetric analysis of structural MRI using pre-trained full-brain deep learning models, all without requiring technical expertise or intricate setup procedures. Beyond its commitment to data privacy, this frontend tool offers multiple features, including scalability, low latency, user-friendly operation, cross-platform compatibility, and enhanced accessibility. This paper outlines the processing pipeline of Brainchop and evaluates the performance of models across various software and hardware configurations. The results demonstrate the practicality of client-side processing for volumetric data, owing to the robust MeshNet architecture, even within the resource-constrained environment of web browsers

STR-862: APPLICATION OF 4D AND 5D BIM IN COLD-FORMED STEEL RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

Traditional residential building systems are not sufficient to produce the required number of housing units needed every year to solve the current housing problem in many countries. To meet such a challenge, it is necessary to explore the latest construction technologies, and to create innovative building systems that have the potential to bring high-performance affordable housing within reach of new markets. Light (cold-formed) steel (CFS) framing systems have proven to be a worthy alternative to traditional systems. Recent advances in the application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into the Architecture-Engineering-Construction industries present an additional mean to further enhance the efficiency of CFS projects. This paper presents a BIM based integrated approach for project scheduling and cost estimating of cold formed steel residential buildings. The approach integrates the basic 3D BIM model with the construction management tools used for project scheduling and cost estimation to produce a 4D BIM and 5D BIM models that can be used to enhance the project efficiency in both the design and construction phases. The developed models facilitate communication among all project participants and support project management in effectively planning on-site construction activities. A case study is presented to demonstrate the methodology

Heavy metal speciation and their accumulation in sediments of Lake Burullus, Egypt

Several sediment samples in Lake Burullus have been affected by the discharges of heavy metals through different drains. The study aimed to analyze the chemical speciation of these metals. In particular, the chemical forms of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn in sediments collected in spring season were studied using a sequential chemical extraction method. In general, all the elements recorded highest concentrations in the area near the discharge point. The data indicated that, the sediments were under a wide variety of environmental conditions ranging from oxic to fully anoxic conditions. Owing a wide variety of grain sizes and organic matter, these metals showed the order of abundance: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cd > Pb. Significant correlations between iron with clay, organic carbon and manganese concentrations were calculated as (r=0.685, 0.581 and 0.610, P= 0.05), respectively. This gives an idea about association of iron and manganese as main compositions of clays. In the mean time, it showed insignificant relation with total carbonate and all phosphorus forms. The metal speciation characterizes the degree to which they are potentially labile or bioavailability. It gives different fraction ratios depending on binding and sediment origin.Key words: Heavy metals, chemical speciation, sediments, Burullus, Lake