Abstract: Currently, seismic probabilistic risk assessments
(SPRA) for nuclear facilities use In-Structure Response Spectra
(ISRS) in the calculation of fragilities for systems and components.
ISRS are calculated via dynamic analyses of the host building
subjected to two orthogonal components of horizontal ground
motion. Each component is defined as the median motion in any
horizontal direction. Structural engineers applied the components
along selected X and Y Cartesian axes. The ISRS at different
locations in the building are also calculated in the X and Y directions.
The choice of the directions of X and Y are not specified by the
ground motion model with respect to geographic coordinates, and are
rather arbitrarily selected by the structural engineer. Normally, X and
Y coincide with the “principal” axes of the building, in the
understanding that this practice is generally conservative. For SPRA
purposes, however, it is desirable to remove any conservatism in the
estimates of median ISRS. This paper examines the effects of the
direction of horizontal seismic motion on the ISRS on typical nuclear
structure. We also evaluate the variability of ISRS calculated along
different horizontal directions. Our results indicate that some central
measures of the ISRS provide robust estimates that are practically
independent of the selection of the directions of the horizontal
Cartesian axes.
Abstract: Two Lithium Disilicate (LD) glass ceramics based on
SiO2-Li2O-K2O-Al2O3 system were prepared through a glass melting
method. The glass rods were then fabricated into dental crowns via a
hot pressing at 900˚C and 850˚C in order to study the effect of the
pressing temperatures on the phase formation and microstructure of
the glasses. Different samples of as cast glass and heat treated
samples (600˚C and 700˚C) were used to press for investigating the
effect of an initial microstructure on the hot pressing technique. Xray
diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were
performed to determine the phase formation and microstructure of the
samples, respectively. XRD results show that the main crystalline
structure was Li2Si2O5 by having Li3PO4, Li0.6Al0.6Si2O6, Li2SiO3,
Ca5 (PO4)3F and SiO2 as minor phases. Glass compositions with
different heat treatment temperatures exhibited a difference phase
formations but have less effect during pressing. SEM micrographs
showed the microstructure of Li2Si2O5 as lath-like shape in all
glasses. With increasing the initial heat treatment temperature, the
longer the lath-like crystals of lithium disilicate were increased
especially when using glass heat treatment at 700˚C followed by
pressing at 900˚C. This could be suggested that LD1 heat treatment at
700˚C which pressing at 900˚C presented the best formation by the
hot pressing and compiled microstructure.
Abstract: Enterprise Architecture (EA) Implementation
Methodologies have become an important part of EA projects.
Several implementation methodologies have been proposed, as a
theoretical and practical approach, to facilitate and support the
development of EA within an enterprise. A significant question when
facing the starting of EA implementation is deciding which
methodology to utilize. In order to answer this question, a framework
with several criteria is applied in this paper for the comparative
analysis of existing EA implementation methodologies. Five EA
implementation methodologies including: EAP, TOGAF, DODAF,
Gartner, and FEA are selected in order to compare with proposed
framework. The results of the comparison indicate that those
methodologies have not reached a sufficient maturity as whole due to
lack of consideration on requirement management, maintenance,
continuum, and complexities in their process. The framework has
also ability for the evaluation of any kind of EA implementation
methodologies.
Abstract: In today’s highly competitive, dynamic and
technology driven business circumstances, marketers are under
steady pressure to deliver the best. Organizations are continuously
improving and upgrading themselves to meet customer expectations
and demands. Technology has not only changed the way in which
business is done in modern times but has also transformed the way to
reach out to target audience. Marketers have identified most recent
media options to communicate and convince potential customers.
Numerous scholars have studied the research domain of advertising
and have tried to recognize different measures of advertisement
effectiveness in context of various media. The objective of this paper
is to critically review accessible literature on advertisement
effectiveness in context of varied advertising media, recognize major
gaps in the literature and identify future research prospects on the
basis of critical analysis of literature.
Abstract: Maturity models, used descriptively to explain
changes in reality or normatively to guide managers to make
interventions to make organizations more effective and efficient, are
based on the principles of statistical quality control and PDCA
continuous improvement (Plan, Do, Check, Act). Some frameworks
developed over the concept of maturity models include COBIT,
CMM, and ITIL.
This paper presents some limitations of traditional maturity
models, most of them related to the mechanistic and reductionist
principles over which those models are built. As systems theory helps
the understanding of the dynamics of organizations and
organizational change, the development of a systemic maturity model
can help to overcome some of those limitations.
This document proposes a systemic maturity model, based on a
systemic conceptualization of organizations, focused on the study of
the functioning of the parties, the relationships among them, and their
behavior as a whole. The concept of maturity from the system theory
perspective is conceptually defined as an emergent property of the
organization, which arises as a result of the degree of alignment and
integration of their processes. This concept is operationalized through
a systemic function that measures the maturity of organizations, and
finally validated by the measuring of maturity in some organizations.
For its operationalization and validation, the model was applied to
measure the maturity of organizational Governance, Risk and
Compliance (GRC) processes.
Abstract: The Lean Environmental Management Integration
System (LEMIS) framework development is integration between lean
core element and ISO 14001. The curiosity on the relationship
between continuous improvement and sustainability of lean
implementation has influenced this study toward LEMIS.
Characteristic of ISO 14001 standard clauses and core elements of
lean principles are explored from past studies and literature reviews.
Survey was carried out on ISO 14001 certified companies to examine
continual improvement by implementing the ISO 14001 standard.
The study found that there is a significant and positive relationship
between Lean Principles: value, value stream, flow, pull and
perfection with the ISO 14001 requirements. LEMIS is significant to
support the continuous improvement and sustainability. The
integration system can be implemented to any manufacturing
company. It gives awareness on the importance on why organizations
need to sustain its environmental management system. In the
meantime, the lean principle can be adapted in order to streamline
daily activities of the company. Throughout the study, it had proven
that there is no sacrifice or trade-off between lean principles with ISO
14001 requirements. The framework developed in the study can be
further simplified in the future, especially the method of crossing
each sub requirements of ISO 14001 standard with the core elements
of Lean principles in this study.
Abstract: In this paper the CVA computation of interest rate
swap is presented based on its rating. Rating and probability default
given by Moody’s Investors Service are used to calculate our CVA
for a specific swap with different maturities. With this computation
the influence of rating variation can be shown on CVA. Application
is made to the analysis of Greek CDS variation during the period of
Greek crisis between 2008 and 2011. The main point is the
determination of correlation between the fluctuation of Greek CDS
cumulative value and the variation of swap CVA due to change of
rating.
Abstract: Many problems in science and engineering field require
the solution of shifted linear systems with multiple right hand
sides and multiple shifts. To solve such systems efficiently, the
implicitly restarted global GMRES algorithm is extended in this
paper. However, the shift invariant property could no longer hold over
the augmented global Krylov subspace due to adding the harmonic
Ritz matrices. To remedy this situation, we enforce the collinearity
condition on the shifted system and propose shift implicitly restarted
global GMRES. The new method not only improves the convergence
but also has a potential to simultaneously compute approximate
solution for the shifted systems using only as many matrix vector
multiplications as the solution of the seed system requires. In
addition, some numerical experiments also confirm the effectiveness
of our method.
Abstract: The use of mobile phones is growing tremendously all
over the world. In Tanzania there are a number of operators licensed
by Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) aiming
at attracting customers into their networks. So far
telecommunications market competition has been very stiff. Various
measures are being taken by mobile operators to survive in the
market. Such measure include introducing of different air time
bundles on daily, weekly and monthly at lower tariffs. Other
measures include the introduction of normal tariff, tourist package
and one network. Despite of all these strategies, there is a dynamic
competition in the market which needs to be explored. Some
influences which attract customers to choose a certain mobile
operator are of particular interest. This paper is investigating if the
network effects and Quality of Services (QoS) influence mobile
customers in selection of their mobile network operators. Seventy
seven students from high learning institutions in Dodoma
Municipality in Tanzania participated in responding to prepared
questionnaires. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for
Social Science (SPSS) Software. The results indicate that, network
coverage does influence customers in selection of mobile operators.
In addition, this paper proposes further research in some areas
especially where the study came up with different findings from what
the theory has in place.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine effect of
dietary essential oil (EO) compounds, which contained
cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, peppermint, coriander, cumin, lemongrass,
and an organic carrier on feed intake, milk composition, and rumen
fermentation of dairy cows during heat exposure. Thirty-two Holstein
cows (days in milk= 60 ± 5) were assigned to one of two treatment
groups: a Control and EO fed. The experiment lasted 28 days. Dry
matter intake (DMI) was measured daily while and milk production
was measured weekly. Our result showed that DMI and milk yield
was decreased (P < 0.01) in control cows relative to EO cows.
Furthermore, supplementation with EO was associated with a
decrease in the molar proportion of propionate (P < 0.05) and
increase (P < 0.05) in acetate to propionate ratio. In conclusion, EO
supplementations in diets can be useful nutritional modification to
alleviate for the decrease DMI and milk production during heat
exposure in lactating dairy cows.
Abstract: The hydrogenated amorphous carbon films (α-C:H)
were deposited on p-type Si (100) substrates at different thicknesses by
radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition
technique (rf-PECVD). Raman spectra display asymmetric
diamond-like carbon (DLC) peaks, representative of the α-C:H films.
The decrease of intensity ID/IG ratios revealed the sp3 content arise at
different thicknesses of the α-C:H films. In terms of mechanical
properties, the high hardness and elastic modulus values showed the
elastic and plastic deformation behaviors related to sp3 content in
amorphous carbon films. Electrochemical properties showed that the
α-C:H films exhibited excellent corrosion resistance in air-saturated
3.5 wt.% NaCl solution for pH 2 at room temperature. Thickness
increasing affected the small sp2 clusters in matrix, restricting the
velocity transfer and exchange of electrons. The deposited α-C:H films
exhibited excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.
Abstract: A modeling approach for CMOS gates is presented
based on the use of the equivalent inverter. A new model for the
inverter has been developed using a simplified transistor current
model which incorporates the nanoscale effects for the planar
technology. Parametric expressions for the output voltage are
provided as well as the values of the output and supply current to be
compatible with the CCS technology. The model is parametric
according the input signal slew, output load, transistor widths, supply
voltage, temperature and process. The transistor widths of the
equivalent inverter are determined by HSPICE simulations and
parametric expressions are developed for that using a fitting
procedure. Results for the NAND gate shows that the proposed
approach offers sufficient accuracy with an average error in
propagation delay about 5%.
Abstract: Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs)
were fabricated by microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique. The
optical properties of the N-GQDs were studied. The luminescence of
the N-GQDs can be tuned by varying the excitation wavelength.
Furthermore, two-photon luminescence of the N-GQDs excited by
near-infrared laser can be obtained. It is shown that N-doping play a
key role on two-photon luminescence. The N-GQDs are expected to
find application in biological applications including bioimaging and
sensing.
Abstract: The knowledge of biodiesel density over large ranges
of temperature and pressure is important for predicting the behavior
of fuel injection and combustion systems in diesel engines, and for
the optimization of such systems. In this study, cottonseed oil was
transesterified into biodiesel and its density was measured at
temperatures between 288 K and 358 K and pressures between 0.1
MPa and 30 MPa, with expanded uncertainty estimated as ±1.6 kg⋅m-
3. Experimental pressure-volume-temperature (pVT) cottonseed data
was used along with literature data relative to other 18 biodiesels, in
order to build a database used to test the correlation of density with
temperarure and pressure using the Goharshadi–Morsali–Abbaspour
equation of state (GMA EoS). To our knowledge, this is the first that
density measurements are presented for cottonseed biodiesel under
such high pressures, and the GMA EoS used to model biodiesel
density. The new tested EoS allowed correlations within 0.2 kg·m-3
corresponding to average relative deviations within 0.02%. The built
database was used to develop and test a new full predictive model
derived from the observed linear relation between density and degree
of unsaturation (DU), which depended from biodiesel FAMEs
profile. The average density deviation of this method was only about
3 kg.m-3 within the temperature and pressure limits of application.
These results represent appreciable improvements in the context of
density prediction at high pressure when compared with other
equations of state.
Abstract: In the cloud computing hierarchy IaaS is the lowest
layer, all other layers are built over it. Thus it is the most important
layer of cloud and requisite more importance. Along with advantages
IaaS faces some serious security related issue. Mainly Security
focuses on Integrity, confidentiality and availability. Cloud
computing facilitate to share the resources inside as well as outside of
the cloud. On the other hand, cloud still not in the state to provide
surety to 100% data security. Cloud provider must ensure that end
user/client get a Quality of Service. In this report we describe
possible aspects of cloud related security.
Abstract: This paper represents performance of particle swarm
optimisation (PSO) algorithm based integral (I) controller and
proportional-integral controller (PI) for interconnected hydro-thermal
automatic generation control (AGC) with generation rate constraint
(GRC) and Thyristor controlled phase shifter (TCPS) in series with
tie line. The control strategy of TCPS provides active control of
system frequency. Conventional objective function integral square
error (ISE) and another objective function considering square of
derivative of change in frequencies of both areas and change in tie
line power are considered. The aim of designing the objective
function is to suppress oscillation in frequency deviations and change
in tie line power oscillation. The controller parameters are searched
by PSO algorithm by minimising the objective functions. The
dynamic performance of the controllers I and PI, for both the
objective functions, are compared with conventionally optimized I
controller.
Abstract: The efficiency of wood vinegar mixed with each
individual of three plants extract such as: citronella grass
(Cymbopogon nardus), neem seed (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), and
yam bean seed (Pachyrhizus erosus Urb.) were tested against the
second instar larvae of housefly (Musca domestica L.). Steam
distillation was used for extraction of the citronella grass while neem
and yam bean were simple extracted by fermentation with ethyl
alcohol. Toxicity test was evaluated in laboratory based on two
methods of larvicidal bioassay: topical application method (contact
poison) and feeding method (stomach poison). Larval mortality was
observed daily and larval survivability was recorded until the
survived larvae developed to pupae and adults. The study resulted
that treatment of wood vinegar mixed with citronella grass showed
the highest larval mortality by topical application method (50.0%)
and by feeding method (80.0%). However, treatment of mixed wood
vinegar and neem seed showed the longest pupal duration to 25 day
and 32 days for topical application method and feeding method
respectively. Additional, larval duration on treated M. domestica
larvae was extended to 13 days for topical application method and 11
days for feeding method. Thus, the feeding method gave higher
efficiency compared with the topical application method.
Abstract: Asphaltic concrete for pavement construction in India
are produced by using crushed stone, gravels etc. as aggregate. In
north-Eastern region of India, there is a scarcity of stone aggregate.
Therefore the road engineers are always in search of an optional
material as aggregate which can replace the regularly used material.
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the utilization of
substandard or marginal aggregates in flexible pavement
construction. The investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effects
of using lower quality aggregates such as over burnt brick aggregate
on the preparation of asphalt concrete for flexible pavements. The
scope of this work included a review of available literature and
existing data, a laboratory evaluation organized to determine the
effects of marginal aggregates and potential techniques to upgrade
these substandard materials, and a laboratory evaluation of these
upgraded marginal aggregate asphalt mixtures. Over burnt brick
aggregates are water susceptible and can leads to moisture damage.
Moisture damage is the progressive loss of functionality of the
material owing to loss of the adhesion bond between the asphalt
binder and the aggregate surface. Hence zycosoil as an anti striping
additive were evaluated in this study. This study summarizes the
results of the laboratory evaluation carried out to investigate the
properties of asphalt concrete prepared with zycosoil modified over
burnt brick aggregate. Marshall specimen were prepared with stone
aggregate, zycosoil modified stone aggregate, over burnt brick
aggregate and zycosoil modified over burnt brick aggregate. Results
show that addition of zycosoil with stone aggregate increased
stability by 6% and addition of zycosoil with over burnt brick
aggregate increased stability by 30%.
Abstract: The power converter that feeds high-frequency, highvoltage
transformers must be carefully designed due to parasitic
components, mainly the secondary winding capacitance and the
leakage inductance, that introduces resonances in relatively lowfrequency
range, next to the switching frequency. This paper
considers applications in which the load (resistive) has an
unpredictable behavior, changing from open to short-circuit condition
faster than the output voltage control loop could react. In this context,
to avoid overvoltage and over current situations, that could damage
the converter, the transformer or the load, it is necessary to find an
operation point that assure the desired output voltage in spite of the
load condition. This can done adjusting the frequency response of the
transformer adding an external inductance, together with selecting the
switching frequency to get stable output voltage independently of the
load.
Abstract: The operation of nuclear power plants involves
continuous monitoring of the environment in their area. This
monitoring is performed using a complex data acquisition system,
which collects status information about the system itself and values
of many important physical variables e.g. temperature, humidity,
dose rate etc. This paper describes a proposal and optimization of
communication that takes place in teledosimetric system between the
central control server responsible for the data processing and storing
and the decentralized measuring stations, which are measuring the
physical variables. Analyzes of ongoing communication were
performed and consequently the optimization of the system
architecture and communication was done.