Abstract: This paper shows a traceability framework for supply risk monitoring, beginning with the identification, analysis, and evaluation of the supply chain risk and focusing on the supply operations of the Health Care Institutions with oncology services in Bogota, Colombia. It includes a brief presentation of the state of the art of the Supply Chain Risk Management and traceability systems in logistics operations, and it concludes with the methodology to integrate the SCRM model with the traceability system.
Abstract: This paper proposes an architecture of dynamically
reconfigurable arithmetic circuit. Dynamic reconfiguration is a
technique to realize required functions by changing hardware
construction during operations. The proposed circuit is based on a
complex number multiply-accumulation circuit which is used
frequently in the field of digital signal processing. In addition, the
proposed circuit performs real number double precision arithmetic
operations. The data formats are single and double precision floating
point number based on IEEE754. The proposed circuit is designed
using VHDL, and verified the correct operation by simulations and
experiments.
Abstract: Westudy a dual-channel supply chain under
decentralized setting in which manufacturer sells to retailer and to
customers directly usingan online channel. A customer chooses the
purchase-channel based on price and service quality. Also, to buy
product from the retail store, the customer incurs a transportation cost
influenced by the fluctuating gasoline cost. Both companies are under
the revenue sharing contract. In this contract the retailer share a
portion of the revenue to the manufacturer while the manufacturer
will charge the lower wholesales price. The numerical result shows
that the effects of gasoline costs, the revenue sharing ratio and the
wholesale price play an important role in determining optimal prices.
The result shows that when the gasoline price fluctuatesthe optimal
on-line priceis relatively stable while the optimal retail price moves
in the opposite direction of the gasoline prices.
Abstract: Renewable energy resources are inexhaustible, clean as compared with conventional resources. Also, it is used to supply regions with no grid, no telephone lines, and often with difficult accessibility by common transport. Satellite earth stations which located in remote areas are the most important application of renewable energy. Neural control is a branch of the general field of intelligent control, which is based on the concept of artificial intelligence. This paper presents the mathematical modeling of satellite earth station power system which is required for simulating the system.Aswan is selected to be the site under consideration because it is a rich region with solar energy. The complete power system is simulated using MATLAB–SIMULINK.An artificial neural network (ANN) based model has been developed for the optimum operation of earth station power system. An ANN is trained using a back propagation with Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm. The best validation performance is obtained for minimum mean square error. The regression between the network output and the corresponding target is equal to 96% which means a high accuracy. Neural network controller architecture gives satisfactory results with small number of neurons, hence better in terms of memory and time are required for NNC implementation. The results indicate that the proposed control unit using ANN can be successfully used for controlling the satellite earth station power system.
Abstract: The nonlinear chaotic non-autonomous fourth order
system is algebraically simple but can generate complex chaotic
attractors. In this paper, non-autonomous fourth order chaotic
oscillator circuits were designed and simulated. Also chaotic nonautonomous
Attractor is addressed suitable for chaotic masking
communication circuits using Matlab® and MultiSIM® programs.
We have demonstrated in simulations that chaos can be synchronized
and applied to signal masking communications. We suggest that this
phenomenon of chaos synchronism may serve as the basis for little
known chaotic non-autonomous Attractor to achieve signal masking
communication applications. Simulation results are used to visualize
and illustrate the effectiveness of non-autonomous chaotic system in
signal masking. All simulations results performed on nonautonomous
chaotic system are verify the applicable of secure
communication.
Abstract: Dynamics of a vapour bubble generated due to a high local energy input near a circular thin bronze plate in the absence of the buoyancy forces is numerically investigated in this paper. The bubble is generated near a thin bronze plate and during the growth and collapse of the bubble, it deforms the nearby plate. The Boundary Integral Equation Method is employed for numerical simulation of the problem. The fluid is assumed to be incompressible, irrotational and inviscid and the surface tension on the bubble boundary is neglected. Therefore the fluid flow around the vapour bubble can be assumed as a potential flow. Furthermore, the thin bronze plate is assumed to have perfectly plastic behaviour. Results show that the displacement of the circular thin bronze plate has considerable effect on the dynamics of its nearby vapour bubble. It is found that by decreasing the thickness of the thin bronze plate, the growth and collapse rate of the bubble becomes higher and consequently the lifetime of the bubble becomes shorter.
Abstract: This article presents the developments of efficient
algorithms for tablet copies comparison. Image recognition has
specialized use in digital systems such as medical imaging,
computer vision, defense, communication etc. Comparison between
two images that look indistinguishable is a formidable task. Two
images taken from different sources might look identical but due to
different digitizing properties they are not. Whereas small variation
in image information such as cropping, rotation, and slight
photometric alteration are unsuitable for based matching
techniques. In this paper we introduce different matching
algorithms designed to facilitate, for art centers, identifying real
painting images from fake ones. Different vision algorithms for
local image features are implemented using MATLAB. In this
framework a Table Comparison Computer Tool “TCCT" is
designed to facilitate our research. The TCCT is a Graphical Unit
Interface (GUI) tool used to identify images by its shapes and
objects. Parameter of vision system is fully accessible to user
through this graphical unit interface. And then for matching, it
applies different description technique that can identify exact
figures of objects.
Abstract: In this work, are discussed two formulations of the boundary element method - BEM to perform linear bending analysis of plates reinforced by beams. Both formulations are based on the Kirchhoff's hypothesis and they are obtained from the reciprocity theorem applied to zoned plates, where each sub-region defines a beam or a slab. In the first model the problem values are defined along the interfaces and the external boundary. Then, in order to reduce the number of degrees of freedom kinematics hypothesis are assumed along the beam cross section, leading to a second formulation where the collocation points are defined along the beam skeleton, instead of being placed on interfaces. On these formulations no approximation of the generalized forces along the interface is required. Moreover, compatibility and equilibrium conditions along the interface are automatically imposed by the integral equation. Thus, these formulations require less approximation and the total number of the degree s of freedom is reduced. In the numerical examples are discussed the differences between these two BEM formulations, comparing as well the results to a well-known finite element code.
Abstract: Professions are concerned about the public image they
have, and this public image is represented by stereotypes. Research is
needed to understand how accountants are perceived by different
actors in the society in different contexts, which would allow
universities, professional bodies and employers to adjust their
strategies to attract the right people to the profession and their
organizations. We aim to develop in this paper a framework to be
used in empirical testing in different environments to determine and
analyze the accountant-s stereotype. This framework will be useful in
analyzing the nuances associated to the accountant-s image and in
understanding the factors that may lead to uniformity in the
profession and of those leading to diversity from one context
(country, type of countries, region) to another.
Abstract: Education supported by mobile computers has been widely done for some time. Teachers have attempted to use mobile computers and to find concrete subjects for student-s fieldwork training in college education. The purpose of this research is to develop software for Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) to conduct fieldwork in our campus, and to report a fieldwork class using PDAs in the curriculum of the Department of Regional Environment Studies.
Abstract: The photocatalytic activity efficiency of TiO2 for the degradation of Toluene in photoreactor can be enhanced by nano- TiO2/LDPE composite film. Since the amount of TiO2 affected the efficiency of the photocatalytic activity, this work was mainly concentrated on the effort to embed the high amount of TiO2 in the Polyethylene matrix. The developed photocatalyst was characterized by XRD, UV-Vis spectrophotometer and SEM. The SEM images revealed the high homogeneity of the deposition of TiO2 on the polyethylene matrix. The XRD patterns interpreted that TiO2 embedded in the PE matrix exhibited mainly in anatase form. In addition, the photocatalytic results show that the toluene removal efficiencies of 30±5%, 49±4%, 68±5%, 42±6% and 33±5% were obtained when using the catalyst loading at 0%, 10%, 15%, 25% and 50% (wt. cat./wt. film), respectively.
Abstract: The two-phase flow field and the motion of the free
surface in an oscillating channel are simulated numerically to assess
the methodology for simulating nuclear reacotr thermal hydraulics
under seismic conditions. Two numerical methods are compared: one
is to model the oscillating channel directly using the moving grid of
the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian method, and the other is to simulate
the effect of channel motion using the oscillating acceleration acting
on the fluid in the stationary channel. The two-phase flow field in the
oscillating channel is simulated using the level set method in both
cases. The calculated results using the oscillating acceleration are
found to coinside with those using the moving grid, and the theoretical
back ground and the limitation of oscillating acceleration are discussed.
It is shown that the change in the interfacial area between liquid and
gas phases under seismic conditions is important for nuclear reactor
thermal hydraulics.
Abstract: A concern that researchers usually face in different
applications of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is determination of
the size of effective domain in time series. In this paper, trial and
error method was used on groundwater depth time series to determine
the size of effective domain in the series in an observation well in
Union County, New Jersey, U.S. different domains of 20, 40, 60, 80,
100, and 120 preceding day were examined and the 80 days was
considered as effective length of the domain. Data sets in different
domains were fed to a Feed Forward Back Propagation ANN with
one hidden layer and the groundwater depths were forecasted. Root
Mean Square Error (RMSE) and the correlation factor (R2) of
estimated and observed groundwater depths for all domains were
determined. In general, groundwater depth forecast improved, as
evidenced by lower RMSEs and higher R2s, when the domain length
increased from 20 to 120. However, 80 days was selected as the
effective domain because the improvement was less than 1% beyond
that. Forecasted ground water depths utilizing measured daily data
(set #1) and data averaged over the effective domain (set #2) were
compared. It was postulated that more accurate nature of measured
daily data was the reason for a better forecast with lower RMSE
(0.1027 m compared to 0.255 m) in set #1. However, the size of input
data in this set was 80 times the size of input data in set #2; a factor
that may increase the computational effort unpredictably. It was
concluded that 80 daily data may be successfully utilized to lower the
size of input data sets considerably, while maintaining the effective
information in the data set.
Abstract: This study examines perception of environmental
approach in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – the
process by which firms integrate environmental concern into
business. Based on a review of the literature, the paper synthesizes
focus on environmental issues with the reflection in a case study in
the Czech Republic. Two themes of corporate environmentalism are
discussed – corporate environmental orientation and corporate
stances toward environmental concerns. It provides theoretical
material on greening organizational culture that is helpful in
understanding the response of contemporary business to
environmental problems. We integrate theoretical predictions with
empirical findings confronted with reality. Scales to measure these
themes are tested in a survey of managers in 229 Czech firms. We
used the process of in-depth questioning. The research question was
derived and answered in the context of the corresponding literature
and conducted research. A case study showed us that environmental
approach is variety different (depending on the size of the firm) in
SMEs sector. The results of the empirical mapping demonstrate
Czech company’s approach to environment and define the problem
areas and pinpoint the main limitation in the expansion of
environmental aspects. We contribute to the debate for recognition of
the particular role of environmental issues in business reality.
Abstract: Online news websites are one of the main and wide areas of Mass Media. Since the nineties several Jordanian newspapers were introduced to the World Wide Web to reach various and large numbers of audiances. Examples of these newspapers that have online version are Al-Rai, Ad-Dustor and AlGhad. Other pure online news websites include Ammon and Rum. The main aim of this study is to evaluate online newspaper websites using two assessment measures; usability and web content. This aim is achieved by using a questionnaire based evaluation which is based on the definition of usability and web content in the ISO document as the standard number 9241-part 11. The results are obtained based on 204 audiences- responses. The results of the research showed that the usability factor is relatively good for all Jordanian online newspapers whereas the web content factor is moderate.
Abstract: The flow field and the motion of the free surface in an
oscillating container are simulated numerically to assess the numerical
approach for studying two-phase flows under oscillating conditions.
Two numerical methods are compared: one is to model the oscillating
container directly using the moving grid of the ALE method, and the
other is to simulate the effect of container motion using the oscillating
body force acting on the fluid in the stationary container. The
two-phase flow field in the container is simulated using the level set
method in both cases. It is found that the calculated results by the body
force method coinsides with those by the moving grid method and the
sloshing behavior is predicted well by both the methods. Theoretical
back ground and limitation of the body force method are discussed,
and the effects of oscillation amplitude and frequency are shown.
Abstract: This paper presents an optimal design of linear phase
digital high pass finite impulse response (FIR) filter using Improved
Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO). In the design process, the filter
length, pass band and stop band frequencies, feasible pass band and
stop band ripple sizes are specified. FIR filter design is a multi-modal
optimization problem. An iterative method is introduced to find the
optimal solution of FIR filter design problem. Evolutionary
algorithms like real code genetic algorithm (RGA), particle swarm
optimization (PSO), improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO)
have been used in this work for the design of linear phase high pass
FIR filter. IPSO is an improved PSO that proposes a new definition
for the velocity vector and swarm updating and hence the solution
quality is improved. A comparison of simulation results reveals the
optimization efficacy of the algorithm over the prevailing
optimization techniques for the solution of the multimodal, nondifferentiable,
highly non-linear, and constrained FIR filter design
problems.
Abstract: This paper reports the influence of sucrose on the
preservation of CO2 hydrate crystal samples. The particle diameter of
hydrate samples were 1.0 and 5.6-8.0 mm. Mass fraction of sucrose in
the sample was 0.16. The samples were stored at the aerated condition
under atmospheric pressure and at the temperature of 253 or 258 K.
The results indicated that the mass fractions of CO2 hydrate in the
samples with sucrose were 0.10 ± 0.03 at the end of 3-week
preservation, regardless of temperature and particle diameter. Mass
fraction of CO2 hydrate in the samples with sucrose was higher than
that of pure CO2 hydrate for 1.0 mm particle diameter, while was
lower than that of pure CO2 hydrate for 5.6-8.0 mm particle diameter.
Discussion is made on the influence of sucrose on the dissociation of
CO2 hydrate and the resulting formation of ice.
Abstract: Iranians- imagination of heaven, which is the reward
of a person-s good deeds during their life, has shown itself in
pleasant and green gardens where earthly gardens were made as
representations of paradise. Iranians are also quite interested in
making their earthly gardens and plantations around their buildings.
With Iran-s hot and dry climate with a lack of sufficient water for
plantation coverage, it becomes noticeable how important it is to
Iranians- art in making gardens. This study, with regard to examples,
documents and library studies, investigates the characteristics of
Persian gardens. The result shows that elements such as soil, water,
plants and layout have been used in forming a unique style of Persian
gardens. Bagh-e Shah Zadeh Mahan (Mahan prince garden) is a
typical example and has been carefully studied. In this paper I try to
investigate and evaluate the characteristics of a Persian garden by
means of a descriptive approach.
Abstract: The inherent complexity in nowadays- business
environments is forcing organizations to be attentive to the dynamics
in several fronts. Therefore, the management of technological
innovation is continually faced with uncertainty about the future.
These issues lead to a need for a systemic perspective, able to analyze
the consequences of interactions between different factors. The field
of technology foresight has proposed methods and tools to deal with
this broader perspective. In an attempt to provide a method to analyze
the complex interactions between events in several areas, departing
from the identification of the most strategic competencies, this paper
presents a methodology based on the Delphi method and Quality
Function Deployment. This methodology is applied in a sheet metal
processing equipment manufacturer, as a case study.