Processing Polysomnographic Signals, using Independent Component Analysis

International audienceIn this paper several applications of the Independent Component Analysis (ICA) algorithm, for the analysis of biomedical signal recordings have been investigated. One of these applications is the removal of EEG artifacts such as the EOG. It is shown that ICA may serve as a powerful tool, which could help the analysis of biomedical recordings, and give better insights about the underlying sources of some disorders. Another application of the proposed method is the detection of sleep disorders in patients suffering from sleep apnea. The ultimate goal of this approach is to develop an automatic noninvasive data acquisition system, for clinical applications

Revisiting element removal for density-based structural topology optimization with reintroduction by Heaviside projection

We present a strategy grounded in the element removal idea of Bruns and Tortorelli [1] and aimed at reducing computational cost and circumventing potential numerical instabilities of density-based topology optimization. The design variables and the relative densities are both represented on a fixed, uniform finite element grid, and linked through filtering and Heaviside projection. The regions in the analysis domain where the relative density is below a specified threshold are removed from the forward analysis and replaced by fictitious nodal boundary conditions. This brings a progressive cut of the computational cost as the optimization proceeds and helps to mitigate numerical instabilities associated with low-density regions. Removed regions can be readily reintroduced since all the design variables remain active and are modeled in the formal sensitivity analysis. A key feature of the proposed approach is that the Heaviside functions promote material reintroduction along the structural boundaries by amplifying the magnitude of the sensitivities inside the filter reach. Several 2D and 3D structural topology optimization examples are presented, including linear and nonlinear compliance minimization, the design of a force inverter, and frequency and buckling load maximization. The approach is shown to be effective at producing optimized designs equivalent or nearly equivalent to those obtained without the element removal, while providing remarkable computational savings

The Effect of Synchronous and Asynchronous Language Learning: A Study of Iranian EFL Intermediate Students’ Vocabulary Learning

Synchronous learning and asynchronous learning are the two main approaches to teaching available in distance education. The main objective of the study was to determine which approach to vocabulary learning, would facilitate vocabulary learning more for Iranian EFL learners. From among the targeted population of 82 intermediate students of an English institute in Isfahan, Iran, students between the ages of 12 to 18, a sample of 60 students were chosen based on their score on a quick placement test (QPT). The selected participants undertook a vocabulary pre-test and were divided into two groups of 30 who in terms of language proficiency and vocabulary knowledge were homogenized. Both synchronous and asynchronous groups were taught “Advanced Vocabulary and Idiom”, by the same teacher at one particular institute. In the period of 10 sessions of a semester, the synchronous groups were taught the vocabulary items in class synchronously and the asynchronous group was taught via email. After the post-test, the results with the t-test observed, indicated a significance difference between synchronous and asynchronous groups, p-value of .003, gender with the p-value of 0.027 and pre-test and post-test with the p-value of 0.047, but no significance was observed for age with the p-value of 0.127. The post-test results indicated that the synchronous group considerably outperformed the asynchronous group in the vocabulary knowledge they attained

Izučavanje CFD-om utjecaja brzine mlaza na miješanje i nastajanje mulja u velikim spremnicima sirove nafte

In this paper, computational fluid dynamic modelling was developed to study the effect of the floating jet velocity or submerged rotary jet in sludge prevention in a large crude-oil storage tank. The Euler-Euler method was used in a two-dimensional CFD model to describe oil and sludge flow behaviour at the bottom of the storage tank. By modifying some parameters, the k-e model was used to describe the turbulence of the mixing flow. The results show the effect of jet velocity, angle, and time on the mixing process. By increasing the velocity from 5 m s–1, the mixing pattern significantly changes and improves the mixing of the sludge with crude oil. To evaluate the results, chosen was the sludge profile related to the bottom of the sample tank, and modelling results showed an 80 cm reduction in thickness of the sludge, which corresponds well to the profile of the bottom of the tank. In addition, the y+ axis indicated that the amounts at all points were less than 300, which is acceptable in two-phase modelling. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Računalnom dinamikom fluida modeliran je utjecaj brzine mlaza potopljene rotacijske mlazne miješalice na nastajanje mulja u velikim spremnicima nafte. U dvodimezionalnom CFD modelu primijenjena je Euler-Eulerova metoda za opisivanje toka nafte i mulja na dnu spremnika. Uz promjenu nekih parametara modelom k-e opisana je turbulencija toka miješanja. Rezultati pokazuju da na miješanje utječu brzina mlaza, kut i vrijeme miješanja. Povećanjem brzine od 5 m s–1 način miješanja znatno se mijenja i poboljšano je miješanje mulja sa sirovom naftom. Rezultati su procijenjeni proučavanjem odabranog profila mulja na dnu spremnika uzorka, a modeliranje pokazuje smanjenje debljine sloja mulja za 80 cm, što se slaže s profilom dna spremnika. Os y+ u svim točkama pokazuje iznose manje od 300, što je prihvatljivo u dvofaznom modeliranju. Ovo djelo je dano na korištenje pod licencom Creative Commons Imenovanje 4.0 međunarodna

Jurisprudential and legal Criterion for the 'Ehsan' of the traveler

According to Imami jurisprudence and the Islamic Penal Code of Iran, committing adultery in some circumstances may result in a minimum punishment and in other circumstances, may be subject to a maximum punishment. This issue is very important in the penal system of Islam and the criminal laws of Iran. Considering that one of the examples of the application of the minimum punishment is the Lack of Ehsan for a man or a woman, and according to Article 227 of the Islamic Penal Code of Iran, travel excludes husband and wife from the Ehsan, This question is raised that traveling in the absolute sense can cause the perpetrator of adultery to leave the Ehsan or other conditions are necessary? Considering the descriptive-analytical study of the views presented in this research, it seems that the basic feature of Ehsan for passengers is the existence of a customary ability to have a marital relationship with the wife or husband at any time he or she wants. On the other hand, presenting a model of religious distance as a criterion for leaving Ehsan is contrary to the content of popular narrations. Therefore, determining the religious distance as a criterion for leaving Ehsan will not be compatible with the criterion of customary ability as the famous saying of the jurists, which has been discussed in detail

Comparison of Auditory Evoked Potentials between Younger and Older- Adults.

Abstract:Aging is a very important issue in our modern life. Auditory processing problems are common in older adults. There are different ways to study these problems.The aim of this cross sectional study was to evaluate the pure processing effect of aging on auditory evoked potentials. Materials and methods:The auditory brain stem response (ABR) and the auditory middle latency response (AMLR) weremeasuredin 32 younger adults (mean age, 20.41±2.13 years) and compared with those of 32 older adults (mean age, 68.16±6.20 years). Both groups had normal peripheral hearing sensitivity and normal cognitive status, according to pure tone audiometry and Mini Mental State Examination results.The group of older adults was selected from subjectswith problemsunderstanding speech in noisy places. Multivariate tests wereused for the statistical analysis.RESULTS:Most ABR wave latencies increased and their amplitudes decreased in older adults. (P< 0.05). The latency of AMLR waves was significantly prolonged only for the Nb componentin the right and left ears and for the Pa component during binaural stimulation (p < 0.05).Theamplitude of all AMLR waves increased significantly, except for Na in both ears (p < 0.05).Conclusion:Aging had a pure central effect on the processing ability of the entire neural auditory system.Aging reduced the central inhibition process at the cortical level

Effects of storage duration and conditions on mechanical properties of Viola cucumber fruit under compression loading

In this research, the effects of storage duration and storage conditions on mechanical properties of cucumber fruit (Viola variety) were evaluated at different positions of the fruit length.  The cucumber fruit mechanical properties determined in this study were firmness, apparent modulus of elasticity, failure stress, failure strain and failure energy.  The mechanical properties determined under compression loading using puncture and uni-axial compression tests.  The results showed that the storage duration, storage conditions and fruit test position had significant (P<0.01) effect on the mechanical properties of Viola cucumber fruit.  The samples firmness, modulus of elasticity, failure stress and failure energy reduced about 49%, 39%, 38% and 33%, respectively during shelf life.  The failure strain of samples increased 18% during storage time.  Changing the mechanical properties of the cucumber fruit at room conditions was faster than refrigerator conditions.  The mechanical properties were differed along the length of cucumber fruits so that near the stem region of cucumber fruit had the maximum value of firmness, modulus of elasticity, failure stress and failure energy.  The sample failure strain had the minimum value at near the stem region of cucumber fruit.  Among the mechanical parameters that were evaluated in this research work, the firmness can be considered as the most appropriate parameter to evaluate textural properties of Viola cucumber fruit due to significant effect of independent parameters on it and ease of usage

The Analysis of the Relationship between the Theoretical Knowledge of Translators and Their Practical Translation Skills: An Evaluation of Graduate Translation Courses

The present study, in the first place, attempted to examine the relationship between the theoretical knowledge of translation and practical translation skills in Iranian translators. For this purpose, 35 M.A students both males and females studying English translation were selected in Mashhad Ferdowsi University in Iran. In order to collect data two tests were applied: one made up of questions selected from the Ph.D and M.A entrance exams together with a test of actual translation from Persian to English and the reverse. Data analysis and statistical calculations through T-TEST, one way ANOVA and Pearson Correlation revealed that participants’ theoretical knowledge does not displays a significant correlation with their scores in the English to Persian practical exams, while there is a positive relationship between participants’ scores in the theoretical exams and their Persian to English translation. Also it was found that participants’ experimental experiences in translation have a significant effect on their English to Persian translation

The Analysis of the Relationship between the Theoretical Knowledge of Translators and Their Practical Translation Skills: An Evaluation of Graduate Translation Courses

The present study, in the first place, attempted to examine the relationship between the theoretical knowledge of translation and practical translation skills in Iranian translators. For this purpose, 35 M.A students both males and females studying English translation were selected in Mashhad Ferdowsi University in Iran. In order to collect data two tests were applied: one made up of questions selected from the Ph.D and M.A entrance exams together with a test of actual translation from Persian to English and the reverse. Data analysis and statistical calculations through T-TEST, one way ANOVA and Pearson Correlation revealed that participants’ theoretical knowledge does not displays a significant correlation with their scores in the English to Persian practical exams, while there is a positive relationship between participants’ scores in the theoretical exams and their Persian to English translation. Also it was found that participants’ experimental experiences in translation have a significant effect on their English to Persian translation