Abstract: Quality evaluation of urban environment is an integral
part of efficient urban environment planning and management. The
development of fuzzy set theory (FST) and the introduction of FST
to the urban study field attempts to incorporate the gradual variation
and avoid loss of information. Urban environmental quality
assessment pertain to interpretation and forecast of the urban
environmental quality according to the national regulation about the
permitted content of contamination for the sake of protecting human
health and subsistence environment . A strategic motor vehicle
control strategy has to be proposed to mitigate the air pollution in the
city. There is no well defined guideline for the assessment of urban
air pollution and no systematic study has been reported so far for
Indian cities. The methodology adopted may be useful in similar
cities of India. Remote sensing & GIS can play significant role in
mapping air pollution.
Abstract: Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a widely used
method for material identification for laboratory and industrial applications.
While standard spectrometers only allow measurements at
one sampling point at a time, NIR Spectral Imaging techniques can
measure, in real-time, both the size and shape of an object as well as
identify the material the object is made of. The online classification
and sorting of recovered paper with NIR Spectral Imaging (SI)
is used with success in the paper recycling industry throughout
Europe. Recently, the globalisation of the recycling material streams
caused that water-based flexographic-printed newspapers mainly from
UK and Italy appear also in central Europe. These flexo-printed
newspapers are not sufficiently de-inkable with the standard de-inking
process originally developed for offset-printed paper. This de-inking
process removes the ink from recovered paper and is the fundamental
processing step to produce high-quality paper from recovered paper.
Thus, the flexo-printed newspapers are a growing problem for the
recycling industry as they reduce the quality of the produced paper
if their amount exceeds a certain limit within the recovered paper
material.
This paper presents the results of a research project for the
development of an automated entry inspection system for recovered
paper that was jointly conducted by CTR AG (Austria) and PTS
Papiertechnische Stiftung (Germany). Within the project an NIR
SI prototype for the identification of flexo-printed newspaper has
been developed. The prototype can identify and sort out flexoprinted
newspapers in real-time and achieves a detection accuracy
for flexo-printed newspaper of over 95%. NIR SI, the technology the
prototype is based on, allows the development of inspection systems
for incoming goods in a paper production facility as well as industrial
sorting systems for recovered paper in the recycling industry in the
near future.
Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the optimum
levels of glutamine (Gln) supplementation in broiler diets. A total of
32 one-day-old male chicks with initial body weight 41.5 g were
segregated into 4 groups (8 chicks per group) and subsequently
distributed to individual cages. Feed and water were provided ad
libitum for 21 days. Four dietary treatments were as follows: control
and supplemented Gln at 1, 2 and 3%, respectively. The results found
that the addition Gln had no negative effects on dry matter, organic
matter, ash digestibility or nitrogen retention. Birds fed with 1% Gln
had significantly higher villi wide and villi height : crypt depth ratio
in duodenum than the control chicks and 2 and 3% Gln chicks. It is
suggested that the addition of Gln at 1% indicated a beneficial effect
on improving small intestinal morphology, in addition Gln may
stimulate immune organ development of broiler chickens.
Abstract: In this paper we propose a class of second derivative multistep methods for solving some well-known classes of Lane- Emden type equations which are nonlinear ordinary differential equations on the semi-infinite domain. These methods, which have good stability and accuracy properties, are useful in deal with stiff ODEs. We show superiority of these methods by applying them on the some famous Lane-Emden type equations.
Abstract: This is a conceptual paper on the application of open
innovation in three case examples of Apple, Nintendo, and Nokia.
Utilizing key concepts from research into managerial and
organizational cognition, we describe how each company overcame
barriers to utilizing open innovation strategy in R&D and
commercialization projects. We identify three levels of barriers:
cognitive, behavioral, and institutional, and describe the companies
balanced between internal and external resources to launch products
that were instrumental in companies reinventing themselves in
mature markets.
Abstract: This paper presents an efficient algorithm for
optimization of radial distribution systems by a network
reconfiguration to balance feeder loads and eliminate overload
conditions. The system load-balancing index is used to determine the
loading conditions of the system and maximum system loading
capacity. The index value has to be minimum in the optimal network
reconfiguration of load balancing. A method based on Tabu search
algorithm, The Tabu search algorithm is employed to search for the
optimal network reconfiguration. The basic idea behind the search is
a move from a current solution to its neighborhood by effectively
utilizing a memory to provide an efficient search for optimality. It
presents low computational effort and is able to find good quality
configurations. Simulation results for a radial 69-bus system with
distributed generations and capacitors placement. The study results
show that the optimal on/off patterns of the switches can be identified
to give the best network reconfiguration involving balancing of
feeder loads while respecting all the constraints.
Abstract: A data warehouse (DW) is a system which has value and role for decision-making by querying. Queries to DW are critical regarding to their complexity and length. They often access millions of tuples, and involve joins between relations and aggregations. Materialized views are able to provide the better performance for DW queries. However, these views have maintenance cost, so materialization of all views is not possible. An important challenge of DW environment is materialized view selection because we have to realize the trade-off between performance and view maintenance. Therefore, in this paper, we introduce a new approach aimed to solve this challenge based on Two-Phase Optimization (2PO), which is a combination of Simulated Annealing (SA) and Iterative Improvement (II), with the use of Multiple View Processing Plan (MVPP). Our experiments show that 2PO outperform the original algorithms in terms of query processing cost and view maintenance cost.
Abstract: A rare phenomenon of SDS-induced activation of a latent protease activity associated with the purified silkworm excretory red fluorescent protein (SE-RFP) was noticed. SE-RFP aliquots incubated with SDS for different time intervals indicated that the protein undergoes an obligatory breakdown into a number of subunits which exhibit autoproteolytic (acting upon themselves) and/or heteroproteolytic (acting on other proteins) activities. A strong serine protease activity of SE-RFP subunits on Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) polyhedral protein was detected by zymography technique. A complete inhibition of BmNPV infection to silkworms was observed by the oral administration assay of the SE-RFP. Here, it is proposed that the SE-RFP prevents the initial infection of BmNPV to silkworms by obliterating the polyhedral protein. This is the first report on a silkworm red fluorescent protein that exhibits a protease activity on exposure to SDS. The present studies would help in understanding the antiviral mechanism of silkworm red fluorescent proteins.
Abstract: Tourism researchers have recently focused on repeat visitation as a part of destination loyalty. Different models have also considered satisfaction as the main determinant of revisit intention, while findings in many studies show it as a continuous issue. This conceptual paper attempts at evaluating recent empirical studies on satisfaction and revisit intention. Based on limitations and gaps in recent studies, the current paper suggests a new model that would be more comprehensive than those in previous studies. The new model offers new relationships between antecedents (destination image, perceived value, specific novelty seeking, and distance to destination) and both of satisfaction and revisit intention. Revisit intention in turn is suggested to be measured in a temporal approach.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of corrosion fatigue
crack growth behaviour of a Ni-Cr-Mn steel commonly used in
marine applications. The effect of mechanical variables such as
frequency and load ratio on fatigue crack growth rate at various
stages has been studied using compact tension (C(T)) specimens
along the rolling direction of steel plate under 3.5% saturated NaCl
aqueous environment. The significance of crack closure on corrosion
fatigue, and the validity of Elber-s empirical linear crack closure
model with the ASTM compliance offset method have been
examined.
Fatigue crack growth rate is higher and threshold stress intensities
are lower in aqueous environment compared to the lab air conditions.
It is also observed that the crack growth rate increases at lower
frequencies. The higher stress ratio promotes the crack growth. The
effect of oxidization and corrosion pit formation is very less as the
stress ratio is increased. It is observed that as stress ratios are
increased, the Elber-s crack closure model agrees well with the crack
closure estimated by the ASTM compliance offset method for tests
conducted at 5Hz frequency compared to tests conducted at 1Hz in
corrosive environment.
Abstract: The optimization and control problem for 4D trajectories
is a subject rarely addressed in literature. In the 4D navigation
problem we define waypoints, for each mission, where the arrival
time is specified in each of them. One way to design trajectories for
achieving this kind of mission is to use the trajectory optimization
concepts. To solve a trajectory optimization problem we can use
the indirect or direct methods. The indirect methods are based on
maximum principle of Pontryagin, on the other hand, in the direct
methods it is necessary to transform into a nonlinear programming
problem. We propose an approach based on direct methods with a
pseudospectral integration scheme built on Chebyshev polynomials.
Abstract: This paper aims to describe how student satisfaction is
measured for work-based learners as these are non-traditional
learners, conducting academic learning in the workplace, typically
their curricula have a high degree of negotiation, and whose
motivations are directly related to their employers- needs, as well as
their own career ambitions. We argue that while increasing WBL
participation, and use of SSD are both accepted as being of strategic
importance to the HE agenda, the use of WBL SSD is rarely
examined, and lessons can be learned from the comparison of SSD
from a range of WBL programmes, and increased visibility of this
type of data will provide insight into ways to improve and develop
this type of delivery. The key themes that emerged from the analysis
of the interview data were: learners profiles and needs, employers
drivers, academic staff drivers, organizational approach, tools for
collecting data and visibility of findings. The paper concludes with
observations on best practice in the collection, analysis and use of
WBL SSD, thus offering recommendations for both academic
managers and practitioners.
Abstract: Light rail systems have proliferated in Spain in the last decade, following a tendency that is common not only in other European countries but also in other parts of the world. This paper reviews the benefits of light rail systems, both related to environmental issues and mobility issues. It analyses the evolution of light rail projects in Spain and shows that light rail systems in this country have evolved towards an extensive use of public-private partnerships. The analysis of the Spanish projects, however, does not contribute any conclusive evidence about whether public-private partnerships have been more efficient than publicly owned enterprises in building and operating light rail systems.
Abstract: Young patients suffering from Cerebral Palsy are
facing difficult choices concerning heavy surgeries. Diagnosis settled
by surgeons can be complex and on the other hand decision for
patient about getting or not such a surgery involves important
reflection effort. Proposed software combining prediction for
surgeries and post surgery kinematic values, and from 3D model
representing the patient is an innovative tool helpful for both patients
and medicine professionals. Beginning with analysis and
classification of kinematics values from Data Base extracted from
gait analysis in 3 separated clusters, it is possible to determine close
similarity between patients. Prediction surgery best adapted to
improve a patient gait is then determined by operating a suitable
preconditioned neural network. Finally, patient 3D modeling based
on kinematic values analysis, is animated thanks to post surgery
kinematic vectors characterizing the closest patient selected from
patients clustering.
Abstract: WiMAX and Wi-Fi are considered as the promising
broadband access solutions for wireless MAN’s and LANs,
respectively. In the recent works WiMAX is considered suitable as a
backhaul service to connect multiple dispersed Wi-Fi ‘hotspots’.
Hence a new integrated WiMAX/Wi-Fi architecture has been
proposed in literatures. In this paper the performance of an integrated
WiMAX/Wi-Fi network has been investigated by streaming a video
conference application. The difference in performance between the
two protocols is compared with respect to video conferencing. The
Heterogeneous network was simulated in the OPNET simulator.
Abstract: An optimal control of Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant is
studied in this paper utilizing the auto tuning concept in conjunction
with PID controller. A control scheme composing an auto tuning
stochastic technique based on an improved Genetic Algorithm (GA) is
proposed. For better evaluation of the process in GA, objective
function defined newly in sense of root mean square error has been
used. Also in order to achieve better performance of GA, more
pureness and longer period of random number generation in operation
are sought. The main improvement is made by replacing the uniform
distribution random number generator in conventional GA technique
to newly designed hybrid random generator composed of Cauchy
distribution and linear congruential generator, which provides
independent and different random numbers at each individual steps in
Genetic operation. The performance of newly proposed GA tuned
controller is compared with those of conventional ones via simulation.
Abstract: The present work deals with the structural analysis of
turbine blades and modeling of turbine blades. A common failure
mode for turbine machines is high cycle of fatigue of compressor and
turbine blades due to high dynamic stresses caused by blade vibration
and resonance within the operation range of the machinery. In this
work, proper damping system will be analyzed to reduce the
vibrating blade. The main focus of the work is the modeling of under
platform damper to evaluate the dynamic analysis of turbine-blade
vibrations. The system is analyzed using Bond graph technique. Bond
graph is one of the most convenient ways to represent a system from
the physical aspect in foreground. It has advantage of putting together
multi-energy domains of a system in a single representation in a
unified manner. The bond graph model of dry friction damper is
simulated on SYMBOLS-shakti® software. In this work, the blades
are modeled as Timoshenko beam. Blade Vibrations under different
working conditions are being analyzed numerically.
Abstract: Early Intervention Program (EIP) is required to
improve the overall development of children with Trisomy 21 (Down
syndrome). In order to help trainer and parent in the implementation
of EIP, a support system has been developed. The support system is
able to screen data automatically, store and analyze data, generate
individual EIP (curriculum) with optimal training duration and to
generate training automatically. The system consists of hardware and
software where the software has been implemented using Java
language and Linux Fedora. The software has been tested to ensure the
functionality and reliability. The prototype has been also tested in
Down syndrome centers. Test result shows that the system is reliable
to be used for generation of an individual curriculum which includes
the training program to improve the motor, cognitive, and combination
abilities of Down syndrome children under 6 years.
Abstract: A model based fault detection and diagnosis
technique for DC motor is proposed in this paper. Fault detection
using Kalman filter and its different variants are compared. Only
incipient faults are considered for the study. The Kalman Filter
iterations and all the related computations required for fault detection
and fault confirmation are presented. A second order linear state
space model of DC motor is used for this work. A comparative
assessment of the estimates computed from four different observers
and their relative performance is evaluated.
Abstract: The Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy, bestowed
by His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej to the people of
Thailand, highlights a balanced way of living. Three principles of
moderation reasonableness, and immunity, along with the conditions
for morality and knowledge, can be applied to any level of the
society–from an individual to the nation. The Philosophy of
Sufficiency Economy helps address the current development
challenges, which are issues on institutions, environmental
sustainability, human well-being, and the role of the government.