This paper presents two-level ensemble machine learning approach to identify and update roads from satellite images with the help of graph theory approach. The proposed framework consist of two main stages. In the first stage, we create a model based on One Class - Support Vector Machine which helps to extract the first impression of the road using central road line pixels, as initially we only have data for a single known class. And then in the second stage, we use the output of the first stage to model both road and non-road classes. The model based on ensemble Random Forest approach is used to get more proper estimation of roads and non-roads. As with additional information of non-roads, we expect the second model to be better than first one in distinguishing roads and non-roads. Further, we use the concept of graph theory to generate the road network.
Localisation for indoor environments has gained considerable attention over the past decade. There are many localisation techniques with varying degrees of accuracy and complexity. However, it is more convenient to take advantage of an existing wireless network infrastructure in indoor environments, such as WiFi/wireless local area network (WLAN)Access points (APs). Recently, the IEEE 802.11v standard was proposed to enable accurate Time Of Arrival (TOA)-based distance measurements between WLAN devices. Thus, one promising approach to providing accurate localisation in indoor environments is to integrate IEEE 802.11v with Cooperative Localization (CL) in WLAN networks. The main challenges facing WiFi CL in indoor/urban environments are the multipath and Non Line Of Sight (NLOS) problems. Hence, the main contributions of this research are to 1)integrate TOA-based ranging models into well-known centralised CL algorithms; and 2)evaluate the performance of the centralized CL algorithm in realistic indoor environments for IEEE 802.11 WLAN Systems.
In this paper, a design of current feedback instrumentation amplifier (CFIA) for EEG detection systems has been presented. The proposed CFIA consists of two digitally programmable operational transconductance amplifiers (DPOTAs) and a two-stage CMOS operational amplifier. The DPOTA circuit utilizes class AB voltage buffers to provide low standby power consumption. The proposed CFIA achieves 138 dB common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) with total power consumption of 9.4 ?W. The design can provide a digitally programmable gain varies from 34.4 dB to 54 dB with a constant lower cutoff frequency of 330 Hz. PSPICE simulation results are carried out using 0.25 ?m CMOS technology.
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Abu Dhabi and it poses major health problems to people worldwide. Currently, cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. These treatments can prolong life or permanently cure cancer, but most treatments have side effects such as pain, blood clots, and infection. The main goal of the cancer treatment is to remove cancer completely without damaging the rest of the body. Thus, research has been conducted to find new treatment methods that reduce these side effects. Recently, gold nanoparticles are being used for cancer therapy. The multifunctional properties of gold nanoparticles allows them to be coated with anticancer drugs and targeting molecules, to treat cancers efficiently. The goal of this project is to investigate the optimum ratio of conjugating folic acid, methotrexate, and TGF-?1 antibody to gold nanoparticles to cause the highest uptake by breast cancer cells and the highest toxicity.
Estrone and RGD-targeted liposomes are promising nanocarriers for the delivery of doxorubicin to specific cancer cells. In this study, these liposomes were synthesized and characterized as large unilamellar vesicles by dynamic light scattering. Low- and highfrequency ultrasound were used to trigger the release of the model drug calcein from the liposomes in vitro. Calcein release was monitored by measuring the fluorescence changes, and the results showed that release from both estrone and RGD-targeted liposomes was positively correlated with power density at low frequency. The total release percentages from both types of targeted liposomes were statistically similar to that of the control non-targeted liposomes, when using low and high-frequency ultrasound. Keywords? Cancer treatment, drug delivery, ligand targeting, liposomes, trigger, ultrasound.
Proteoliposomes can significantly improve liposomal structures and make them more effective drug delivery structures with good affinity towards diseased areas. Once there, ultrasound can be used as a stimulus, allowing the temporal control of the drug release. In this study, DSPE-PEG-pNP was studied as a liposome component that is appropriate for protein conjugation on the surface of liposomes. Two proteins were utilized for the test, human serum albumin and human plasminogen. The sizes of both targeted and control liposomes were determined by dynamical light scattering, and while control and albumin liposomes were not significantly different diameter-wise, the plasminogen ones were significantly larger than the control. Release experiments using low-frequency ultrasound with optimized parameters were conducted. Calcein release was monitored by the increase in fluorescence as a function of time and it was observed that all three liposomal formulations had similar behavior once exposed to ultrasound.
During the last years, extensive investigation has been done regarding photocatalysis and its applications. Photocatalysis enables the process of degradation of organic and inorganic species with the action of an irradiated solid, most commonly TiO2 and its derivatives, to simple harmless components such as inorganic oxidized ions and CO2. This research project aims to apply this technology to the treatment of synthetic and real waste water. The expected outcome of the research is to assess the application of photocatalysis activated by solar light in an environmentally friendly fashion to treat waste water in a rather unselective way and get rid even of trace amounts of pollutants, which are recalcitrant to biological treatments.
The cooling water from a local oil refinery was sampled, analyzed and experimentally treated with UV light irradiation at a wavelength of ~254nm. Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and absorbance at 254nm were analyzed for the water samples over years to monitor the water quality. The experimental results showed that: 1) The degradation of biocides and chemicals by UV were observed over the treatment period; 2) The UV treatment was not highly effective for the complete photodegradation of natural organic matters (NOM) in cooling water. Within a 120h a 30% reduction was observed in the COD with an insignificant decrease in TOC. For a rapid photodegradation in NOM use of photocatalyst is recommended.
Water storage variation over Al Ain city was determined from 2005 to 2014 by calculating the difference between monthly inflows and outflows. The outflow included evapotranspiration and discharged wastewater after treatment. A series of Landsat images were used to monitor the changes in Zakher lake extent and infer total water volume using a high resolution (15m) digital elevation model. Evapotranspiration was estimated from NCEP reanalysis data over green areas in the watershed that were delineated using Landsat images. The inflow included precipitation, desalinated water supply, and water reuse. Time series of GRACE observation over the study area were used to assess the inferred water storage variation. The inferred water storage and GRACE anomalies were in phase and showed reasonable agreement as the obtained correlation coefficient was 0.53. Both time series showed a significant decreasing trend suggesting that water storage in the study area is being excessively depleted.
The UAE has limited groundwater resources due to its arid environment and harsh climatic conditions. The study area; coastal aquifer of Wadi Ham in the emirates of Fujairah is facing severe groundwater decline due to increased agricultural activities and many production wells and farms have been abandoned. Hence this study was carried out to investigate the vulnerability of groundwater resources and suitability of artificial recharge in the coastal aquifer of Wadi Ham. This study employed numerical simulation of groundwater flow to assess the impacts of pumping and recharge of groundwater. An increase in groundwater level under various rate of artificial recharge was analyzed. The simulated results is expected to improve groundwater levels in the study area. Hence, the present modeling of groundwater flow can be considered as effective method to control groundwater decline in the study area.
