Abstract: In this paper, a new K-means clustering based
approach for identification of voltage control areas is developed.
Voltage control areas are important for efficient reactive power
management in power systems operating under deregulated
environment. Although, voltage control areas are formed using
conventional hierarchical clustering based method, but the present
paper investigate the capability of K-means clustering for the
purpose of forming voltage control areas. The proposed method is
tested and compared for IEEE 14 bus and IEEE 30 bus systems. The
results show that this K-means based method is competing with
conventional hierarchical approach
Abstract: Multi-agent system is composed by several agents
capable of reaching the goal cooperatively. The system needs an agent
platform for efficient and stable interaction between intelligent agents.
In this paper we propose a flexible and scalable agent platform by
composing the containers with multiple hierarchical agent groups. It
also allows efficient implementation of multiple domain presentations
of the agents unlike JADE. The proposed platform provides both
group management and individual management of agents for
efficiency. The platform has been implemented and tested, and it can
be used as a flexible foundation of the dynamic multi-agent system
targeting seamless delivery of ubiquitous services.
Abstract: Human activity is a major concern in a wide variety of
applications, such as video surveillance, human computer interface
and face image database management. Detecting and recognizing
faces is a crucial step in these applications. Furthermore, major
advancements and initiatives in security applications in the past years
have propelled face recognition technology into the spotlight. The
performance of existing face recognition systems declines significantly
if the resolution of the face image falls below a certain level.
This is especially critical in surveillance imagery where often, due to
many reasons, only low-resolution video of faces is available. If these
low-resolution images are passed to a face recognition system, the
performance is usually unacceptable. Hence, resolution plays a key
role in face recognition systems. In this paper we introduce a new
low resolution face recognition system based on mixture of expert
neural networks. In order to produce the low resolution input images
we down-sampled the 48 × 48 ORL images to 12 × 12 ones using
the nearest neighbor interpolation method and after that applying
the bicubic interpolation method yields enhanced images which is
given to the Principal Component Analysis feature extractor system.
Comparison with some of the most related methods indicates that
the proposed novel model yields excellent recognition rate in low
resolution face recognition that is the recognition rate of 100% for
the training set and 96.5% for the test set.
Abstract: In modern telecommunications industry, demand &
supply chain management (DSCM) needs reliable design and
versatile tools to control the material flow. The objective for efficient
DSCM is reducing inventory, lead times and related costs in order to
assure reliable and on-time deliveries from manufacturing units
towards customers. In this paper the multi-rate expert system based
methodology for developing simulation tools that would enable
optimal DSCM for multi region, high volume and high complexity
manufacturing environment was proposed.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of
market share and diversification on the nonlife insurers- performance.
The underlying relationships have been investigated in different
industries and different disciplines (economics, management...), still,
no consistency exists either in the magnitude or statistical
significance of the relationship between market share (and
diversification as well) on one side and companies- performance on
the other side. Moreover, the direction of the relationship is also
somewhat questionable. While some authors find this relationship to
be positive, the others reveal its negative association. In order to test
the influence of market share and diversification on companies-
performance in Croatian nonlife insurance industry for the period
from 1999 to 2009, we designed an empirical model in which we
included the following independent variables: firms- profitability
from previous years, market share, diversification and control
variables (i.e. ownership, industrial concentration, GDP per capita,
inflation). Using the two-step generalized method of moments
(GMM) estimator we found evidence of a positive and statistically
significant influence of both, market share and diversification, on
insurers- profitability.
Abstract: Network management techniques have long been of
interest to the networking research community. The queue size plays
a critical role for the network performance. The adequate size of the
queue maintains Quality of Service (QoS) requirements within
limited network capacity for as many users as possible. The
appropriate estimation of the queuing model parameters is crucial for
both initial size estimation and during the process of resource
allocation. The accurate resource allocation model for the
management system increases the network utilization. The present
paper demonstrates the results of empirical observation of memory
allocation for packet-based services.
Abstract: Despite so many years- development, the mainstream of workflow solutions from IT industries has not made ad-hoc workflow-support easy or inexpensive in MIS. Moreover, most of academic approaches tend to make their resulted BPM (Business Process Management) more complex and clumsy since they used to necessitate modeling workflow. To cope well with various ad-hoc or casual requirements on workflows while still keeping things simple and inexpensive, the author puts forth first the TSM design pattern that can provide a flexible workflow control while minimizing demand of predefinitions and modeling workflow, which introduces a generic approach for building BPM in workflow-aware MISs (Management Information Systems) with low development and running expenses.
Abstract: The paper gives the pilot results of the project that is
oriented on the use of data mining techniques and knowledge
discoveries from production systems through them. They have been
used in the management of these systems. The simulation models of
manufacturing systems have been developed to obtain the necessary
data about production. The authors have developed the way of
storing data obtained from the simulation models in the data
warehouse. Data mining model has been created by using specific
methods and selected techniques for defined problems of production
system management. The new knowledge has been applied to
production management system. Gained knowledge has been tested
on simulation models of the production system. An important benefit
of the project has been proposal of the new methodology. This
methodology is focused on data mining from the databases that store
operational data about the production process.
Abstract: Intellectual capital measurement is a central aspect of knowledge management. The measurement and the evaluation of intangible assets play a key role in allowing an effective management of these assets as sources of competitiveness. For these reasons, managers and practitioners need conceptual and analytical tools taking into account the unique characteristics and economic significance of Intellectual Capital. Following this lead, we propose an efficiency and productivity analysis of Intellectual Capital, as a determinant factor of the company competitive advantage. The analysis is carried out by means of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI). These techniques identify Bests Practice companies that have accomplished competitive advantage implementing successful strategies of Intellectual Capital management, and offer to inefficient companies development paths by means of benchmarking. The proposed methodology is employed on the Biotechnology industry in the period 2007-2010.
Abstract: A learning management system (commonly
abbreviated as LMS) is a software application for the administration,
documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs,
classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training
content (Ellis 2009). (Hall 2003) defines an LMS as \"software that
automates the administration of training events. All Learning
Management Systems manage the log-in of registered users, manage
course catalogs, record data from learners, and provide reports to
management\". Evidence of the worldwide spread of e-learning in
recent years is easy to obtain. In April 2003, no fewer than 66,000
fully online courses and 1,200 complete online programs were listed
on the TeleCampus portal from TeleEducation (Paulsen 2003). In the
report \" The US market in the Self-paced eLearning Products and
Services:2010-2015 Forecast and Analysis\" The number of student
taken classes exclusively online will be nearly equal (1% less) to the
number taken classes exclusively in physical campuses. Number of
student taken online course will increase from 1.37 million in 2010 to
3.86 million in 2015 in USA. In another report by The Sloan
Consortium three-quarters of institutions report that the economic
downturn has increased demand for online courses and programs.
Abstract: This paper proposes a modeling methodology for the
development of data analysis solution. The Author introduce the
approach to address data warehousing issues at the at enterprise level.
The methodology covers the process of the requirements eliciting and
analysis stage as well as initial design of data warehouse. The paper
reviews extended business process model, which satisfy the needs of
data warehouse development. The Author considers that the use of
business process models is necessary, as it reflects both enterprise
information systems and business functions, which are important for
data analysis. The Described approach divides development into
three steps with different detailed elaboration of models. The
Described approach gives possibility to gather requirements and
display them to business users in easy manner.
Abstract: The aim of the paper is based on detailed analysis of
literary sources and carried out research to develop a model
development and implementation of innovation strategy in the
business. The paper brings the main results of the authors conducted
research on a sample of 462 respondents that shows the current
situation in the Slovak enterprises in the use of innovation strategy.
Carried out research and analysis provided the base for a model
development and implementation of innovation strategy in the
business, which is in the paper in detail, step by step explained with
emphasis on the implementation process. Implementing the
innovation strategy is described a separate model. Paper contains
recommendations for successful implementation of innovation
strategy in the business. These recommendations should serve mainly
business managers as valuable tool in implementing the innovation
strategy.
Abstract: PARADIGMA (PARticipative Approach to DIsease
Global Management) is a pilot project which aims to develop and
demonstrate an Internet based reference framework to share scientific
resources and findings in the treatment of major diseases.
PARADIGMA defines and disseminates a common methodology and
optimised protocols (Clinical Pathways) to support service functions
directed to patients and individuals on matters like prevention, posthospitalisation
support and awareness. PARADIGMA will provide a
platform of information services - user oriented and optimised
against social, cultural and technological constraints - supporting the
Health Care Global System of the Euro-Mediterranean Community
in a continuous improvement process.
Abstract: In Algeria, liberalization reforms undertaken since the 1990s have resulted in negative effects on the development and management of irrigation schemes, as well as on the conditions of farmers. Reforms have been undertaken to improve the performance of irrigation schemes, such as the national plan of agricultural development (PNDA) in 2000 and the water pricing policy of 2005. However, after implementation of these policies, questions have arisen with regard to irrigation performance and its suitability for agricultural development. Hence, the aim of this paper is to provide insight into the profitability of irrigation during the transition period under current irrigation agricultural policies in Algeria. By using the method of farm crop budget analysis in the East Mitidja irrigation scheme, the returns from using surface water resources based on farm typology were found to vary among crops and farmers- groups within the scheme. Irrigation under the current situation is profitable for all farmers, including both those who benefit from subsidies and those who do not. However, the returns to water were found to be very sensitive to crop price fluctuations, particularly for non-subsidized groups and less so for those whose farming is based on orchards. Moreover, the socio-economic environment of the farmers contributed to less significant impacts of the PNDA policy. In fact, the limiting factor is not only the water, but also the lack of land ownership title. Market access constraints led to less agricultural investment and therefore to low intensification and low water productivity. It is financially feasible to recover the annual O&M costs in the irrigation scheme. By comparing the irrigation water price, returns to water, and O&M costs of water delivery, it is clear that irrigation can be profitable in the future. However, water productivity must be improved by enhancing farmers- income through farming investment, improving assets access, and the allocation of activities and crops which bring high returns to water; this could allow the farmers to pay more for water and allow cost recovery for water systems.
Abstract: Recently, wireless sensor networks have been paid
more interest, are widely used in a lot of commercial and military
applications, and may be deployed in critical scenarios (e.g. when a
malfunctioning network results in danger to human life or great
financial loss). Such networks must be protected against human
intrusion by using the secret keys to encrypt the exchange messages
between communicating nodes. Both the symmetric and asymmetric
methods have their own drawbacks for use in key management. Thus,
we avoid the weakness of these two cryptosystems and make use of
their advantages to establish a secure environment by developing the
new method for encryption depending on the idea of code
conversion. The code conversion-s equations are used as the key for
designing the proposed system based on the basics of logic gate-s
principals. Using our security architecture, we show how to reduce
significant attacks on wireless sensor networks.
Abstract: In this paper, a benchmarking framework is presented
for the performance assessment of irrigations systems. Firstly, a data
envelopment analysis (DEA) is applied to measure the technical
efficiency of irrigation systems. This method, based on linear
programming, aims to determine a consistent efficiency ranking of
irrigation systems in which known inputs, such as water volume
supplied and total irrigated area, and a given output corresponding to
the total value of irrigation production are taken into account
simultaneously. Secondly, in order to examine the irrigation
efficiency in more detail, a cross – system comparison is elaborated
using a performance indicators set selected by IWMI. The above
methodologies were applied in Thessaloniki plain, located in
Northern Greece while the results of the application are presented and
discussed. The conjunctive use of DEA and performance indicators
seems to be a very useful tool for efficiency assessment and
identification of best practices in irrigation systems management.
Abstract: The review performed on the condition of energy
consumption & rate in Iran, shows that unfortunately the subject of
optimization and conservation of energy in active industries of
country lacks a practical & effective method and in most factories,
the energy consumption and rate is more than in similar industries of
industrial countries. The increasing demand of electrical energy and
the overheads which it imposes on the organization, forces
companies to search for suitable approaches to optimize energy
consumption and demand management. Application of value
engineering techniques is among these approaches. Value
engineering is considered a powerful tool for improving profitability.
These tools are used for reduction of expenses, increasing profits,
quality improvement, increasing market share, performing works in
shorter durations, more efficient utilization of sources & etc.
In this article, we shall review the subject of value engineering and
its capabilities for creating effective transformations in industrial
organizations, in order to reduce energy costs & the results have
been investigated and described during a case study in Mazandaran
wood and paper industries, the biggest consumer of energy in north
of Iran, for the purpose of presenting the effects of performed tasks
in optimization of energy consumption by utilizing value engineering
techniques in one case study.
Abstract: It is impossible to think about democracy without elections. The litmus test of any electoral process in any country is the possibility of a one time minority to become a majority at another time and a peaceful transition of power. In many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa though the multi-party elections appeared to be competitive they failed the acid test of democracy: peaceful regime change in a free and fair election. Failure to solve electoral disputes might lead to bloody electoral conflicts as witnessed in many emerging democracies in Africa. The aim of this paper is to investigate electoral conflicts in Africa since the end of the Cold War by using the 2005 post-election violence in Ethiopia as a case study. In Ethiopia, the coming to power of the EPRDF in 1991 marked the fall of the Derg dictatorial military government and the beginning of a multi-party democracy. The country held multi-party parliamentary elections in 1995, 2000, and 2005 where the ruling EPRDF party “won" the elections through violence, involving intimidation, manipulation, detentions of political opponents, torture, and political assassinations. The 2005 electoral violence was the worst electoral violence in the country-s political history that led to the death of 193 protestors and the imprisonment of more than 40, 000 people. It is found out that the major causes of the 2005 Ethiopian election were the defeat of the ruling party in the election and its attempt to reverse the poll results by force; the Opposition-s lack of decisive leadership; the absence of independent courts and independent electoral management body; and the ruling party-s direct control over the army and police.
Abstract: This study examines the impact of working capital
management on firms- performance and market value of the firms in
Nigeria. A sample of fifty four non-financial quoted firms in Nigeria
listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange was used for this study. Data
were collected from annual reports of the sampled firms for the
period 1995-2009. This result shows there is a significant negative
relationship between cash conversion cycle and market valuation
and firm-s performance. It also shows that debt ratio is positively
related to market valuation and negatively related firm-s
performance. The findings confirm that there is a significant
relationship between Market valuation, profitability and working
capital component in line with previous studies. This mean that
Nigeria firms should ensure adequate management of working
capital especially cash conversion cycle components of account
receivables, account payables and inventories, as efficiency working
capital management is expected to contribute positively to the firms-
market value.
Abstract: Network Management Systems have played a great important role in information systems. Management is very important and essential in any fields. There are many managements such as configuration management, fault management, performance management, security management, accounting management and etc. Among them, configuration, fault and security management is more important than others. Because these are essential and useful in any fields. Configuration management is to monitor and maintain the whole system or LAN. Fault management is to detect and troubleshoot the system. Security management is to control the whole system. This paper intends to increase the network management functionalities including configuration management, fault management and security management. In configuration management system, this paper specially can support the USB ports and devices to detect and read devices configuration and solve to detect hardware port and software ports. In security management system, this paper can provide the security feature for the user account setting and user management and proxy server feature. And all of the history of the security such as user account and proxy server history are kept in the java standard serializable file. So the user can view the history of the security and proxy server anytime. If the user uses this system, the user can ping the clients from the network and the user can view the result of the message in fault management system. And this system also provides to check the network card and can show the NIC card setting. This system is used RMI (Remote Method Invocation) and JNI (Java Native Interface) technology. This paper is to implement the client/server network management system using Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE). This system can provide more than 10 clients. And then this paper intends to show data or message structure of client/server and how to work using TCP/IP protocol.