Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of
mean size of industry on survival of new firms in East-Azarbaijan
province through 1981-2006 using hazard function. So the effect of
two variables including mean employment of industry and mean
capital of industry are investigated on firm's survival. The Industry &
Mine Ministry database has used for data gathering and the data are
analyzed using the semi-parametric cox regression model. The results
of this study shows that there is a meaningful negative relationship
between mean capital of industry and firm's survival, but the mean
employment of industry has no meaningful effect on survival of new
firms.
Abstract: Due to important issues, such as deadlock, starvation,
communication, non-deterministic behavior and synchronization,
concurrent systems are very complex, sensitive, and error-prone.
Thus ensuring reliability and accuracy of these systems is very
essential. Therefore, there has been a big interest in the formal
specification of concurrent programs in recent years. Nevertheless,
some features of concurrent systems, such as dynamic process
creation, scheduling and starvation have not been specified formally
yet. Also, some other features have been specified partially and/or
have been described using a combination of several different
formalisms and methods whose integration needs too much effort. In
other words, a comprehensive and integrated specification that could
cover all aspects of concurrent systems has not been provided yet.
Thus, this paper makes two major contributions: firstly, it provides a
comprehensive formal framework to specify all well-known features
of concurrent systems. Secondly, it provides an integrated
specification of these features by using just a single formal notation,
i.e., the Z language.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with an epidemic model with delay. By using the comparison theorem of the differential equation and constructing a suitable Lyapunov functional, Some sufficient conditions which guarantee the permeance and existence of a unique globally attractive positive almost periodic solution of the model are obtain. Finally, an example is employed to illustrate our result.
Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate whether
chlorophyll meter readings (SPAD) can be used as criterion of singleplant
selection in maize breeding. Experimentation was performed at
the ultra-low density of 0.74 plants/m2 in order the potential yield per
plant to be fully expressed. R-31 honeycomb experiments were
conducted in three different areas in Greece (Thessaloniki, Giannitsa
and Florina) using 30 inbred lines at well-watered and water-stressed
conditions during the 2012 growing season. The chlorophyll meter
readings had higher rates at dry conditions, except location of
Giannitsa where differences were not significant. Genotypes of
highest chlorophyll meter readings were consistent across areas,
emphasizing on the character’s stability. A positive correlation
between the chlorophyll meter readings and grain yield was
strengthening over time and culminated at the physiological maturity
stage. There was a clear sign that the chlorophyll meter readings has
the potential to be used for the selection of stress-adaptive genotypes
and may permit modern maize to be grown at wider range of
environments addressing the climate change scenarios.
Abstract: Power system stability enhancement by simultaneous tuning of a Power System Stabilizer (PSS) and a Static Var Compensator (SVC)-based controller is thoroughly investigated in this paper. The coordination among the proposed damping stabilizers and the SVC internal voltage regulators has also been taken into consideration. The design problem is formulated as an optimization problem with a time-domain simulation-based objective function and Real-Coded Genetic Algorithm (RCGA) is employed to search for optimal controller parameters. The proposed stabilizers are tested on a weakly connected power system with different disturbances and loading conditions. The nonlinear simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control schemes over a wide range of loading conditions and disturbances. Further, the proposed design approach is found to be robust and improves stability effectively even under small disturbance and unbalanced fault conditions.
Abstract: The main purpose of this research was to study how to communicate the identity of the Bangpoo, Samu tPrakan province for ecotourism. The qualitative data was collected through studying related materials, exploring the area, in-depth interviews with three groups of people: three directly responsible officers who were key informants of the district, twenty foreign tourists and five Thai tourist guides. A content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. The two main findings of the study were as follows:
The identity of Bangpoo, Samut Prakan province. This establishment was near the Mouth of the Gulf of Thailand for normal people and tourists, consisting of rest accommodations. There are restaurants where food and drinks are served, rich mangrove forests, Banpoo seaside resort and mangrove trees. Bangpoo seaside resort is characterized by muddy beacheswhere the greatest number of seagulls can be seen from March to May each year.
The communication of the identity of Bangpoo, Samut Prakan province which the researcher could find and design to present in English materials can be summed up in 3 items: 1) The history of Bangpoo, Samut Prakan province 2) The Learning center of Ecotourism: Seagulls and Mangrove forest 3) How to keep Banpoo, Samut Prakran province for ecotourism.
Abstract: Surface roughness (Ra) is one of the most important requirements in machining process. In order to obtain better surface roughness, the proper setting of cutting parameters is crucial before the process take place. This research presents the development of mathematical model for surface roughness prediction before milling process in order to evaluate the fitness of machining parameters; spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut. 84 samples were run in this study by using FANUC CNC Milling α-Τ14ιE. Those samples were randomly divided into two data sets- the training sets (m=60) and testing sets(m=24). ANOVA analysis showed that at least one of the population regression coefficients was not zero. Multiple Regression Method was used to determine the correlation between a criterion variable and a combination of predictor variables. It was established that the surface roughness is most influenced by the feed rate. By using Multiple Regression Method equation, the average percentage deviation of the testing set was 9.8% and 9.7% for training data set. This showed that the statistical model could predict the surface roughness with about 90.2% accuracy of the testing data set and 90.3% accuracy of the training data set.
Abstract: On a such wide-area environment as a Grid, data
placement is an important aspect of distributed database systems. In
this paper, we address the problem of initial placement of database
no-replicated fragments in Grid architecture. We propose a graph
based approach that considers resource restrictions. The goal is to
optimize the use of computing, storage and communication
resources. The proposed approach is developed in two phases: in the
first phase, we perform fragment grouping using knowledge about
fragments dependency and, in the second phase, we determine an
efficient placement of the fragment groups on the Grid. We also
show, via experimental analysis that our approach gives solutions
that are close to being optimal for different databases and Grid
configurations.
Abstract: The purpose of this report is to suggest a new
methodology for the assessment of the comparative efficiency of the
reforms made in different countries by an integral index. We have
highlighted the reforms made in post-crisis period in 21 former
socialist countries.
The integral index describes the social-economic development
level. The integral index contains of six indexes: The Global
Competitiveness Index, Doing Business, The Corruption Perception,
The Index of Economic Freedom, The Human Development, and
The Democracy Index, which are reported by different international
organizations. With the help of our methodology we first summarized
the above-mentioned 6 indexes and attained 1 general index, besides,
our new method enables us to assess the comparative efficiency of the
reforms made in different countries by analyzing them.
The purpose is to reveal the opportunities and threats of socialeconomic
reforms in different directions.
Abstract: Key management represents a major and the most
sensitive part of cryptographic systems. It includes key generation,
key distribution, key storage, and key deletion. It is also considered
the hardest part of cryptography. Designing secure cryptographic
algorithms is hard, and keeping the keys secret is much harder.
Cryptanalysts usually attack both symmetric and public key
cryptosystems through their key management. We introduce a
protocol to exchange cipher keys over insecure communication
channel. This protocol is based on public key cryptosystem,
especially elliptic curve cryptosystem. Meanwhile, it tests the cipher
keys and selects only the good keys and rejects the weak one.
Abstract: Artificial Neural Network (ANN)s are best suited for
prediction and optimization problems. Trained ANNs have found
wide spread acceptance in several antenna design systems. Four
parameters namely antenna radiation resistance, loss resistance, efficiency,
and inductance can be used to design an antenna layout though
there are several other parameters available. An ANN can be trained
to provide the best and worst case precisions of an antenna design
problem defined by these four parameters. This work describes the
use of an ANN to generate the four mentioned parameters for a loop
antenna for the specified frequency range. It also provides insights
to the prediction of best and worst-case design problems observed
in applications and thereby formulate a model for physical layout
design of a loop antenna.
Abstract: A novel low-cost impedance control structure is
proposed for monitoring the contact force between end-effector and
environment without installing an expensive force/torque sensor.
Theoretically, the end-effector contact force can be estimated from the
superposition of each joint control torque. There have a nonlinear
matrix mapping function between each joint motor control input and
end-effector actuating force/torques vector. This new force control
structure can be implemented based on this estimated mapping matrix.
First, the robot end-effector is manipulated to specified positions, then
the force controller is actuated based on the hall sensor current
feedback of each joint motor. The model-free fuzzy sliding mode
control (FSMC) strategy is employed to design the position and force
controllers, respectively. All the hardware circuits and software
control programs are designed on an Altera Nios II embedded
development kit to constitute an embedded system structure for a
retrofitted Mitsubishi 5 DOF robot. Experimental results show that PI
and FSMC force control algorithms can achieve reasonable contact
force monitoring objective based on this hardware control structure.
Abstract: When it comes to last, it is regarded as the critical
foundation of shoe design and development. A computer aided
methodology for various last form designs is proposed in this study.
The reverse engineering is mainly applied to the process of scanning
for the last form. Then with the minimum energy for revision of
surface continuity, the surface reconstruction of last is rebuilt by the
feature curves of the scanned last. When the surface reconstruction of
last is completed, the weighted arithmetic mean method is applied to
the computation on the shape morphing for the control mesh of last,
thus 3D last form of different sizes is generated from its original form
feature with functions remained. In the end, the result of this study is
applied to an application for 3D last reconstruction system. The
practicability of the proposed methodology is verified through later
case studies.
Abstract: In current global economics the application of Business Continuity Management is the prerequisite for sustainable competitive advantage in an organization. Business Continuity Management is a managerial which identifies the potential impact of losses in an organization. The aim of this paper is to identify and critically evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of deploying Business Continuity Management in an organization on the basis of seven criteria. The strongest advantage of Business Continuity Management is in its capacity to identify a crisis situation and help the organization to flexibly and also to keep the critical knowledge within the organization. By contrast the main disadvantage is that establishing Business Continuity Management in an organization is time-consuming and its implementation as an integral part of the organizational culture present significant difficulties.
Abstract: Digital broadcasting has been an area of active
research, development, innovation and business models development
in recent years. This paper presents a survey on the characteristics of
the digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTTB) standards, and
implementation status of DTTB worldwide showing the standards
adopted. It is clear that only the developed countries and some in the
developing ones shall be able to beat the ITU set analogue to digital
broadcasting migration deadline because of the challenges that these
countries faces in digitizing their terrestrial broadcasting. The
challenges to keep on track the DTTB migration plan are also
discussed in this paper. They include financial, technology gap,
policies alignment with DTTB technology, etc. The reported
performance comparisons for the different standards are also
presented. The interesting part is that the results for many
comparative studies depends to a large extent on the objective behind
such studies, hence counter claims are common.
Abstract: Attempts were made to identify anuran glial cells. They were found as nervous tissue resident. Having stage dependent morphotype changes, whereby, appeared as an ovoid to oval in resting state and amoeboid mrophotypes in activated state, stained fairly with methylene blue and take up Pelikane blue 10% aqueous solution, as well as having the ability to phagocytize heat killed Staphylococcus aureus. They were delineated from the migrating peripheral monocytes by morphotypic and morphometeric differences. Such criteria were consistence with glial cells. Thus, the anuran glial cells are being identified in the frog Rana ridibunda Pallas 1771 and this animal can be of use as a simple model for the immunobiology of glial cells.
Abstract: A Negotiation Support is required on a value-based decision to enable each stakeholder to evaluate and rank the solution alternatives before engaging into negotiation with the other stakeholders. This study demonstrates a process of negotiation support model for selection of a building system from value-based design perspective. The perspective is based on comparison of function and cost of a building system. Multi criteria decision techniques were applied to determine the relative value of the alternative solutions for performing the function. A satisfying option game theory are applied to the criteria of value-based decision which are LCC (life cycle cost) and function based FAST. The results demonstrate a negotiation process to select priorities of a building system. The support model can be extended to an automated negotiation by combining value based decision method, group decision and negotiation support.
Abstract: As the air traffic increases at a hub airport, some
flights cannot land or depart at their preferred target time. This event
happens because the airport runways become occupied to near their
capacity. It results in extra costs for both passengers and airlines
because of the loss of connecting flights or more waiting, more fuel
consumption, rescheduling crew members, etc. Hence, devising an
appropriate scheduling method that determines a suitable runway and
time for each flight in order to efficiently use the hub capacity and
minimize the related costs is of great importance. In this paper, we
present a mixed-integer zero-one model for scheduling a set of mixed
landing and departing flights (despite of most previous studies
considered only landings). According to the fact that the flight cost is
strongly affected by the level of airline, we consider different airline
categories in our model. This model presents a single objective
minimizing the total sum of three terms, namely 1) the weighted
deviation from targets, 2) the scheduled time of the last flight (i.e.,
makespan), and 3) the unbalancing the workload on runways. We
solve 10 simulated instances of different sizes up to 30 flights and 4
runways. Optimal solutions are obtained in a reasonable time, which
are satisfactory in comparison with the traditional rule, namely First-
Come-First-Serve (FCFS) that is far apart from optimality in most
cases.
Abstract: We consider the methods of construction simple
polygons for a set S of n points and applying them for searching the
minimal area polygon. In this paper we propose the approximate
algorithm, which generates the simple polygonalizations of a fixed
set of points and finds the minimal area polygon, in O (n3) time and
using O(n2) memory.
Abstract: This study shows the effect of carbon towards
molybdenum carbide alloy when exposed to Microwave. This
technique is also known as Microwave Induced Alloying (MIA) for
the preparation of molybdenum carbide. In this study ammonium
heptamolybdate solution and carbon black powder were
heterogeneously mixed and exposed to microwave irradiation for 2
minutes. The effect on amount of carbon towards the produced alloy
on morphological and oxidation states changes during microwave is
presented. In this experiment, it is expected carbon act as a reducing
agent with the ratio 2:7 molybdenum to carbon as the optimum for
the production of molybdenum carbide alloy. All the morphological
transformations and changes in this experiment were followed and
characterized using X-Ray Diffraction and FESEM.