Giti Javidi

Content-Based Computer Simulation of a Networking Course: An Assessment

This paper presents a successful lab simulation experience to teach signal modulation and demodulation concepts in communication and computer networks to computer science and computer engineering students. Two sections of the same college course with a total of 80 subjects participated in this study. After receiving the same lecture at the same time, the subjects in each course were randomly split into two treatment groups. One group completed two laboratory experiments using the computerized simulation program, while the other completed the same two laboratory experiments using the traditional physical laboratory equipments. Upon the completion of the laboratory assignments, the performance instrument was individually administered to each student. The groups were compared on understanding the concepts, remembering the concepts, and displaying a positive attitude toward the treatment tools. Scores on a validated Concepts Test were collected once after the treatment and another time after three weeks in order to gain some insight on students’ knowledge retention. The validated Attitude Survey and qualitative study was administered at the completion of the treatment. The findings of this research indicate that conceptual simulation programs could be feasible substitute for hands-on exercises.

Learning the Relative Importance of Features in Image Data

In computational analysis in scientific domains, images are often compared based on their features, e.g., size, depth and other domain-specific aspects. Certain features may be more significant than others while comparing the images and drawing corresponding inferences for specific applications. Though domain experts may have subjective notions of similarity for comparison, they seldom have a distance function that ranks the image features based on their relative importance. We propose a method called features rank for learning such a distance function in order to capture the semantics of the images. We are given training samples with pairs of images and the extent of similarity identified for each pair. Using a guessed initial distance function. Features rank clusters the given images in levels. It then adjusts the distance junction based on the error between the clusters and training samples using heuristics proposed in this paper. The distance junction that gives the lowest error is the output. This contains the features ranked in the order most appropriate the domain. Features rank is evaluated with real image data from nanotechnology and bioinformatics. The results of our evaluation are presented in the paper.

Development and evaluation of an educational computer network software

Technology is having a dramatic effect on colleges and universities, producing what may be the most challenging period in the history of higher education. One form of the convergence of technology and education is distributed learning. The World Wide Web (WWW) provides alternative means for delivery of the courses and services, providing learners with an extraordinary range of options. Distance learning methods are being developed and implemented to offer educational opportunities to those who are unable or choose not to attend an educational institution on a conventional, scheduled basis. There are few, if any, studies that have attempted to evaluate the learning achieved through interactivity of students with the online contents using interactive multimedia in online environments, perhaps because of the difficulties in designing rich multimedia contents, a tight experiment for such studies and the fact that confounding variables can easily become significant. The purpose of this study would be to investigate the effectiveness of learning through interactive multimedia and present the results. This research report provides information on the design and development of an online Computational Method in Engineering Technology course. The course is interactive multimedia-based including 3D animation, simulation, video, graphics, and audio. The research considers information on the theoretical framework for designing the course, the process of developing the multimedia and developing the course. The results of the study on the effectiveness of the course is reported in the presentation. Major points of emphasis studied in this research include: 1. Discussing the need for multimedia-rich courses for teaching technology-based subjects in online environments; 2. Developing multimedia based online courses; 3. The effects of using multimedia in teaching technology-based concepts; 4. The results of the study on the effects of using multimedia in an online environment and 5. Results of student attitudes toward learning through multimedia.

Predictive analysis of engine health for decision support

Data mining, the discovery of knowledge from data, bridges several disciplines such as database management, artificial intelligence, statistics, visualization and the domain of the data, e.g., biology or engineering. Knowledge discovered by mining the data can be used for various purposes such as developing decision support systems and intelligent tutors. In this paper we present such a data mining problem in the mechanical engineering domain where knowledge discovery from the data is performed using statistical approaches, to conduct predictive analysis for decision support. More specifically, we focus on the engine health problem which consists of using existing data on the behavior of an engine in order to predict whether the engine is capable of functioning well (i.e., it is healthy) and to offer suggestions on preventive maintenance. The data we use for this predictive analysis consists of graphs that plot process parameters such as the vibration and temperature of the engine with respect to time. In this paper we define the problem in detail, propose a solution based on statistical inference techniques, summarize our experimental evaluation and discuss the applications of this work in various fields from a decision support angle.

Development and evaluation of visualization techniques in a computer networking course

The World Wide Web (WWW) provides alternative means for delivery of the courses and services, providing learners with an extraordinary range of options. There are few, if any, studies that have attempted to evaluate the learning achieved through the use of simulated laboratories in virtual environments, perhaps because of the difficulties in designing tight experiments for such studies. The purpose of this study would be to investigate the effectiveness of simulated labs in engineering and present the results. Specifically, this study examines whether computer simulations are as effective as physical laboratory activities in teaching college-level electronics engineering students about the concepts of signal transmission, modulation and demodulation. Two sections of the same college course with a total of 80 subjects participated in this study. After receiving the same lecture at the same time, the subjects in each course were randomly split into two treatment groups. One group completed two laboratory experiments using the computerized simulation program, while the other completed the same two laboratory experiments using the traditional physical laboratory equipments. Upon the completion of the laboratory assignments, the performance instrument was individually administered to each student. The groups were compared on understanding the concepts, remembering the concepts, and displaying a positive attitude toward the treatment tools. Scores on a validated Concepts Test were collected once after the treatment and another time after three weeks of the study. The validated Attitude Survey and qualitative study was administered at the completion of the treatment.

ENHANCEMENT OF DATA IN BIOMEDICAL WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS

The aim of the study on Big Data in Public Health, Telemedicine and Healthcare is to identify applicable examples of the use of Big Data in Health and develop recommenda-tions for their implementation in the European Union. Examples of Big Data in Health were identified by a systematic literature review, after which the added value of twenty selected examples was evaluated. Based on the as-sessment of the added value and the quality of the evidence, ten priority examples were selected. Furthermore, potential policy actions for the implementation of Big Data in Health were identified in the literature, and a SWOT analysis was conducted to check the feasibility of the proposed actions. Based on this analysis, and with the help of renowned experts, the study team developed ten policy recommendations in the field. These recommendations were validated through public consultations at three relevant conferences in Europe and were again reviewed by the Expert Group. The recommendations aim to benefit European citizens and patients in terms of strengthening their health and improving the performance of Member State’s health systems. They should be seen as suggestions for the European Union and its Member States on how to utilise the strengths and exploit the opportunities of Big Data for Public Health without threatening privacy or safety of citizens. Recommendations were developed for ten relevant fields: awareness raising, education and training, data sources, open data and data sharing, applications and purposes, data analysis, governance of data access and use, standards, funding and financial resources, as well as legal aspects and privacy regulation.P molecules found in plants are utilized currently for improving prostate health. The botanicals with the highest recognized profiles are Resveratrol and the isoflavonoids. Prostate health is compromised with aging, especially beginning in the mid-40s, when testosterone levels decline and estrogenic hormonal actions increase along with enhanced expression of the prostatic 5α-reductase enzyme that result in prostate enlargement commonly known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There is a linear increase in BPH incidence with increasing age in men over 60 years old. Approximately 1 in 5 men with BPH had a clinical event (prostatectomies), within 1 year of initiating treatment for BPH. The symptoms of BPH include nocturia, incomplete emptying, urinary hesitancy, weak stream, frequency and urgency that negatively impact the quality of life. Current pharmaceuticals are somewhat effective, but can have serious side effects. Interest in complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) for BPH has increased during the last two decades. CAM agents include polyphenolic compounds such as Resveratrol and the isoflavonoids. Resveratrol is effective in vitro, but, in vivo administration presents efficacious challenges. Genistein was first thought to be responsible for improved prostate health, however, since the equal hypothesis was proposed in the late1990s, there has been increased focus on this isoflavonoid molecule. This presentation will briefly review Resveratrol and some isoflavonoid molecules where clinical studies have shown improvement of BPH symptoms in men using standardized laboratory biomarkers and survey indexing parameters. Clearly there is an opportunity for an efficacious and cost-effective approach for the treatment of BPH with botanicals.

Development of a Satellite Communication Emulator for the Hyperspectral Microwave Atmosphere Sounder HYMAS

Major weather facilities around the world recognize microwave atmospheric sounding is the key to developing technology for forthcoming weather and climate missions. The mission for Hyperspectral Microwave Atmospheric Sounder HyMAS Emulator is to produce a model for demonstrating the hyperspectral techniques that retrieve data near 118 and 183 GHz through a 52 channel Intermediate Frequency processor. This project establishes a test bed that mimics the functionality of the instrument such as how data is retrieved and processed through computers in the instrument. The computers are programmed using a new framework application called Interoperable Remote Component. This software allows flexibility to program computers on how to communicate with each other, what devices to connect to and other factors.

Visualization of Real-Time Radar Data by Integration of X-Band Software

To have a fully functional FMCW X-band radar for the SMARTLabs ACHIEVE trailer, it is necessary to produce code to retrieve data from an FPGA board linked to the radar, calculate Fourier transforms and display the power spectrum in near-real time using a computer code based on freely available scientific development tools. In order for the communication between the FPGA board and the computer to be reliable and accurate, developing a specific format through the use of C was an initial step. This was followed by the development of a method to visualize data efficiently. In this case, Python, along with its matplotlib, SciPy, and NumPy modules, were used. Both programs were then integrated together within a graphical user interface.

SNMP-Based RMA Analysis of Wired and Wireless Networks

This research aims at describing a method to subjectively measure specific parameters in a wired or wireless network environment using the Simple Network Management Protocols for the purpose of improving Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability of the network devices. This is of importance in cases where the network is in remote or hard to access locations such as space, defense, or polar applications. Furthermore, the results can be used for troubleshooting and/or failure prediction of the network devices. Applications of health monitoring and prediction in network environments are expanding as are the networks.

Multi-resolution filter banks for enhanced SAR imaging

SAR finds applications in many of NASAs earth science fields such as deformation, ecosystem structure, and dynamics of ice, snow and cold land processes, and surface water and ocean topography. Traditionally, standard methods such as Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT) and Inverse Fast-Fourier Transform (IFFT) have been used to extract images from SAR radar data. Due to non-parametric features of these methods and their resolution limitations and observation time dependence, use of spectral estimation and signal pre- and post-processing techniques based on wavelets to process SAR radar data has been proposed. Multi-resolution wavelet transforms and advanced spectral estimation techniques have proven to offer efficient solutions to this problem. This paper discusses innovative wavelet-based filter banks designed to enhance the analysis of super resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images using parametric spectral methods and signal classification algorithms.