Abstract: Imperfect knowledge cannot be avoided all the time. Imperfections may have several forms; uncertainties, imprecision and incompleteness. When we look to classification of methods for the management of imperfect knowledge we see fuzzy set-based techniques. The choice of a method to process data is linked to the choice of knowledge representation, which can be numerical, symbolic, logical or semantic and it depends on the nature of the problem to be solved for example decision support, which will be mentioned in our study. Fuzzy Logic is used for its ability to manage imprecise knowledge, but it can take advantage of the ability of neural networks to learn coefficients or functions. Such an association of methods is typical of so-called soft computing. In this study a new method was used for the management of imprecision for collected knowledge which related to economic analysis of construction industry in Turkey. Because of sudden changes occurring in economic factors decrease competition strength of construction companies. The better evaluation of these changes in economical factors in view of construction industry will made positive influence on company-s decisions which are dealing construction.
Abstract: Advancements in the field of artificial intelligence
(AI) made during this decade have forever changed the way we look
at automating spacecraft subsystems including the electrical power
system. AI have been used to solve complicated practical problems
in various areas and are becoming more and more popular nowadays.
In this paper, a mathematical modeling and MATLAB–SIMULINK
model for the different components of the spacecraft power system is
presented. Also, a control system, which includes either the Neural
Network Controller (NNC) or the Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) is
developed for achieving the coordination between the components of
spacecraft power system as well as control the energy flows. The
performance of the spacecraft power system is evaluated by
comparing two control systems using the NNC and the FLC.
Abstract: The purpose of the present study is to analyze the
effect of the target plate-s curvature on the heat transfer in laminar
confined impinging jet flows. Numerical results from two
dimensional compressible finite volume solver are compared
between three different shapes of impinging plates: Flat, Concave
and Convex plates. The remarkable result of this study proves that
the stagnation Nusselt number in laminar range of Reynolds number
based on the slot width is maximum in convex surface and is
minimum in concave plate. These results refuse the previous data in
literature stating the amount of the stagnation Nusselt number is
greater in concave surface related to flat plate configuration.
Abstract: Emerging Bio-engineering fields such as Brain
Computer Interfaces, neuroprothesis devices and modeling and
simulation of neural networks have led to increased research activity
in algorithms for the detection, isolation and classification of Action
Potentials (AP) from noisy data trains. Current techniques in the field
of 'unsupervised no-prior knowledge' biosignal processing include
energy operators, wavelet detection and adaptive thresholding. These
tend to bias towards larger AP waveforms, AP may be missed due to
deviations in spike shape and frequency and correlated noise
spectrums can cause false detection. Also, such algorithms tend to
suffer from large computational expense.
A new signal detection technique based upon the ideas of phasespace
diagrams and trajectories is proposed based upon the use of a
delayed copy of the AP to highlight discontinuities relative to
background noise. This idea has been used to create algorithms that
are computationally inexpensive and address the above problems.
Distinct AP have been picked out and manually classified from
real physiological data recorded from a cockroach. To facilitate
testing of the new technique, an Auto Regressive Moving Average
(ARMA) noise model has been constructed bases upon background
noise of the recordings. Along with the AP classification means this
model enables generation of realistic neuronal data sets at arbitrary
signal to noise ratio (SNR).
Abstract: This paper characterizes the effects of artificial short
term aging in the laboratory on the rheological properties of virgin
80/100 penetration grade asphalt binder. After several years in
service, asphalt mixture started to deteriorate due to aging. Aging is a
complex physico-chemical phenomenon that influences asphalt
binder rheological properties causing a deterioration in asphalt
mixture performance. To ascertain asphalt binder aging effects, the
virgin, artificially aged and extracted asphalt binder were tested via
the Rolling Thin film Oven (RTFO), Dynamic Shear Rheometer
(DSR) and Rotational Viscometer (RV). A comparative study
between laboratory and field aging conditions were also carried out.
The results showed that the specimens conditioned for 85 minutes
inside the RTFO was insufficient to simulate the actual short term
aging caused that took place in the field under Malaysian field
conditions
Abstract: Earlier studies in kinship networks have primarily
focused on observing the social relationships existing between family
relatives. In this study, we pre-identified hubs in the network to
investigate if they could play a catalyst role in the transfer of physical
information. We conducted a case study of a ceremony performed in
one of the families of a small Hindu community – the Uttar Rarhi
Kayasthas. Individuals (n = 168) who resided in 11 geographically
dispersed regions were contacted through our hub-based
representation. We found that using this representation, over 98% of
the individuals were successfully contacted within the stipulated
period. The network also demonstrated a small-world property, with
an average geodesic distance of 3.56.
Abstract: In the past decade, the development of microstrip
sensor application has evolved tremendously. Although cut and trial
method was adopted to develop microstrip sensing applications in the
past, Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) is a more effective as it ensures
less time is consumed and cost saving is achieved in developing
microstrip sensing applications. Therefore microstrip sensing
applications has gained popularity as an effective tool adopted in
continuous sensing of moisture content particularly in products that is
administered mainly by liquid content. In this research, the Cole-Cole
representation of reactive relaxation is applied to assess the
performance of the microstrip sensor devices. The microstrip sensor
application is an effective tool suitable for sensing the moisture
content of dielectric material. Analogous to dielectric relaxation
consideration of Cole-Cole diagrams as applied to dielectric
materials, a “reactive relaxation concept” concept is introduced to
represent the frequency-dependent and moisture content
characteristics of microstrip sensor devices.
Abstract: This research aimed to study the competency of health
and wellness hotels and resorts in developing use the local natural
resources and wisdom to conform to the national health and wellness
tourism (HWT) strategy by comparing two independent samples,
from Aumpur Muang, Ranong province and Aumpur Muang,
Chiangmai province. And also study in the suggestive direct path to
lead the organization to the sustainable successful.
This research was conduct by using mix methodology; both
quantitative and qualitative data were used. The data of competency
of health and wellness hotels and resorts (HWHR) in developing use
the local natural resources for HWT promoting were collected via
300 set of questionnaires, from 6 hotels and resorts in 2 areas, 3
places from Aumpur Muang, Ranong province and another 3 from
Aumpur Muang, Chiangmai province.
Thestudy of HWHR’s competency in developing use the local
natural resources and wisdom to conform to the national HWT
strategycan be divided into fourmain areas, food and beverages
service, tourism activity, environmental service, and value adding.
The total competency of the Chiangmai sample is importantly
scoredp. value 0.01 higher than the Ranong one while the area of
safety, Chiangmai’s competency is importantly scored 0.05 higher
than the Ranong’scompetency. Others were rated not differently.
Since Chiangmai perform better, then it can be a role model in
developing HTHR or HWT destination.
From the part of qualitative research, content analysis of business
contents and its environments were analyzed. The four stages of
strategic development and plans, from the smallest scale to the largest
scale such a national base were discussed. The HWT: Evolution
model and strategy for lodging Business were suggested. All those
stages must work harmoniously together. The distinctive result
illustrates the need of human resource development as the key point
to create the identity of Thainess on Health and wellness service
providing. This will add-on the value of services and differentiates
ourselves from other competitors. The creative of Thailand’s health
and wellness brand possibly increase loyalty customers which agreed
to be a path of sustainable development.
Abstract: Nowadays, doping is an intricate dilemma. Wrestling
is the nationally popular sport in Iran. Also the prevalence of doping
may be high, due to its power demanding characteristics. So, we
aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward doping among
the club wrestlers. In a cross sectional study, 426 wrestlers were
studied. For this reason, a researcher made questionnaire was used. In
this study, researchers selected the clubs by randomized clustered
sampling and distributed the questionnaire among wrestlers.
Knowledge of wrestlers in three categories of doping definitions,
recognition of prohibited drugs and side effects was poor or moderate
in 70.8%, 95.8% and 99.5%, respectively. Wrestlers have poor
knowledge in doping. Furthermore, they believe some myths which
are unfavorable. It seems necessary to design a comprehensive
educational program for all of the athletes and coaches.
Abstract: The composition, vapour pressure, and heat capacity
of nine biodiesel fuels from different sources were measured. The
vapour pressure of the biodiesel fuels is modeled assuming an ideal
liquid phase of the fatty acid methyl esters constituting the fuel. New
methodologies to calculate the vapour pressure and ideal gas and
liquid heat capacities of the biodiesel fuel constituents are proposed.
Two alternative optimization scenarios are evaluated: 1) vapour
pressure only; 2) vapour pressure constrained with liquid heat
capacity. Without physical constraints, significant errors in liquid
heat capacity predictions were found whereas the constrained
correlation accurately fit both vapour pressure and liquid heat
capacity.
Abstract: Object Relational Databases (ORDB) are complex in
nature than traditional relational databases because they combine the
characteristics of both object oriented concepts and relational
features of conventional databases. Design of an ORDB demands
efficient and quality schema considering the structural, functional
and componential traits. This internal quality of the schema is
assured by metrics that measure the relevant attributes. This is
extended to substantiate the understandability, usability and
reliability of the schema, thus assuring external quality of the
schema. This work institutes a formalization of ORDB metrics;
metric definition, evaluation methodology and the calibration of the
metric. Three ORDB schemas were used to conduct the evaluation
and the formalization of the metrics. The metrics are calibrated using
content and criteria related validity based on the measurability,
consistency and reliability of the metrics. Nominal and summative
scales are derived based on the evaluated metric values and are
standardized. Future works pertaining to ORDB metrics forms the
concluding note.
Abstract: Insect pests are the major source of crop
damage, yield and quality reduction in Pakistan and else
where in the world. Cotton crop is the most hit crop in
Pakistan followed by rice and the second most important
foreign exchange earning crop. A wide variety of staple,
horticultural and cash crops grown, reflect serious problems of
many types of insect pests. To overcome the insect pest
problem, pesticide use in Pakistan has increased substantially
which has now been further intensified. Pesticides worth more
than billions of rupees are imported every year. This paper
reviews the over all pesticide use in Pakistan in relation to
pesticide prices, support price of cotton and rice, pesticide use
in different provinces of Pakistan on different crops and their
impact on crop productivity. The environmental pollution
caused by the use of pesticides, contamination of soil and
water resources and the danger associated with the disposal of
their empty containers is also discussed in detail.
Abstract: In the present paper, we obtain a sandwich-type theorem.
As applications of our main result, we discuss the univalence
and starlikeness of analytic functions in terms of certain differential
subordinations and differential inequalities.
Abstract: In switch mode power inverters, small sized inverters
can be obtained by increasing the switching frequency. Switching
frequency increment causes high driver losses. Also, high dt
di
and
dt
dv
produced by the switching action creates high Electromagnetic
Interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). In this
paper, a series half bridge series resonant inverter circuit is simulated
and evaluated practically to demonstrate the turn-on and turn-off
conditions during zero or close to zero voltage switching. Also, the
reverse recovery current effects of the body diode of the MOSFETs
were investigated by operating above and below resonant frequency.
Abstract: In order to define a new model of Tunisian foot
sizes and for building the most comfortable shoes, Tunisian
industrialists must be able to offer for their customers products able
to put on and adjust the majority of the target population concerned.
Moreover, the use of models of shoes, mainly from others
country, causes a mismatch between the foot and comfort of the
Tunisian shoes.
But every foot is unique; these models become uncomfortable for
the Tunisian foot. We have a set of measures produced from a
3D scan of the feet of a diverse population (women, men ...) and we
try to analyze this data to define a model of foot specific to the
Tunisian footwear design.
In this paper we propose tow new approaches to modeling a new
foot sizes model. We used, indeed, the neural networks, and specially
the Kohonen network.
Next, we combine neural networks with the concept of half-foot
size to improve the models already found. Finally, it was necessary to
compare the results obtained by applying each approach and we
decide what-s the best approach that give us the most model of foot
improving more comfortable shoes.
Abstract: Social networking is one of the most successful and popular tools to emerge from the Web 2.0 era. However, the increased interconnectivity and access to peoples- personal lives and information has created a plethora of opportunities for the nefarious side of human nature to manifest. This paper categorizes and describes the major types of anti-social behavior and criminal activity that can arise through undisciplined use and/or misuse of social media. We specifically address identity theft, misrepresentation of information posted, cyber bullying, children and social networking, and social networking in the work place. Recommendations are provided for how to reduce the risk of being the victim of a crime or engaging in embarrassing behavior that could irrevocably harm one-s reputation either professionally or personally. We also discuss what responsibilities social networking companies have to protect their users and also what law enforcement and policy makers can do to help alleviate the problems.
Abstract: A theory for optimal filtering of infinite sets of random
signals is presented. There are several new distinctive features of the
proposed approach. First, a single optimal filter for processing any
signal from a given infinite signal set is provided. Second, the filter is
presented in the special form of a sum with p terms where each term
is represented as a combination of three operations. Each operation
is a special stage of the filtering aimed at facilitating the associated
numerical work. Third, an iterative scheme is implemented into the
filter structure to provide an improvement in the filter performance at
each step of the scheme. The final step of the scheme concerns signal
compression and decompression. This step is based on the solution of
a new rank-constrained matrix approximation problem. The solution
to the matrix problem is described in this paper. A rigorous error
analysis is given for the new filter.
Abstract: Bus networks design is an important problem in
public transportation. The main step to this design, is determining the
number of required terminals and their locations. This is an especial
type of facility location problem, a large scale combinatorial
optimization problem that requires a long time to be solved.
The genetic algorithm (GA) is a search and optimization technique
which works based on evolutionary principle of natural
chromosomes. Specifically, the evolution of chromosomes due to the
action of crossover, mutation and natural selection of chromosomes
based on Darwin's survival-of-the-fittest principle, are all artificially
simulated to constitute a robust search and optimization procedure.
In this paper, we first state the problem as a mixed integer
programming (MIP) problem. Then we design a new crossover and
mutation for bus terminal location problem (BTLP). We tested the
different parameters of genetic algorithm (for a sample problem) and
obtained the optimal parameters for solving BTLP with numerical try
and error.
Abstract: One of the key research issues in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is how to efficiently deploy sensors to cover an area. In this paper, we present a Fishnet Based Dispatch Scheme (FiBDS) with energy aware mobility and interest based sensing angle. We propose two algorithms, one is FiBDS centralized algorithm and another is FiBDS distributed algorithm. The centralized algorithm is designed specifically for the non-time critical applications, commonly known as non real-time applications while the distributed algorithm is designed specifically for the time critical applications, commonly known as real-time applications. The proposed dispatch scheme works in a phase-selection manner. In this in each phase a specific constraint is dealt with according to the specified priority and then moved onto the next phase and at the end of each only the best suited nodes for the phase are chosen. Simulation results are presented to verify their effectiveness.
Abstract: This paper presents the study of induced currents and
temperature distribution in gear heated by induction process using 2D
finite element (FE) model. The model is developed by coupling
Maxwell and heat transfer equations into a multi-physics model. The
obtained results allow comparing the medium frequency (MF) and
high frequency (HF) cases and the effect of machine parameters on
the evolution of induced currents and temperature during heating.
The sensitivity study of the temperature profile is conducted and the
case hardness is predicted using the final temperature profile. These
results are validated using tests and give a good understanding of
phenomena during heating process.