Abstract: The study was a case study analysis about Thai Asia
Pacific Brewery Company. The purpose was to analyze the
company’s marketing objective, marketing strategy at company level,
and marketing mix before liquor liberalization in 2000. Methods used
in this study were qualitative and descriptive research approach
which demonstrated the following results of the study demonstrated
as follows: (1) Marketing objective was to increase market share of
Heineken and Amtel, (2) the company’s marketing strategies were
brand building strategy and distribution strategy. Additionally, the
company also conducted marketing mix strategy as follows. Product
strategy: The company added more beer brands namely Amstel and
Tiger to provide additional choice to consumers, product and
marketing research, and product development. Price strategy: the
company had taken the following into consideration: cost,
competitor, market, economic situation and tax. Promotion strategy:
the company conducted sales promotion and advertising. Distribution
strategy: the company extended channels its channels of distribution
into food shops, pubs and various entertainment places. This strategy
benefited interested persons and people who were engaged in the beer
business.
Abstract: This paper deals with the development of a Jacobean model for a 4-axes indigenously developed scara robot arm in the laboratory. This model is used to study the relation between the velocities and the forces in the robot while it is doing the pick and place operation.
Abstract: Domineering is a classic two-player combinatorial
game usually played on a rectangular board. Three-player Domineering
is the three-player version of Domineering played on a three
dimensional board. Experimental results are presented for x×y ×z
boards with x + y + z < 10 and x, y, z ≥ 2. Also, some theoretical
results are shown for 2 × 2 × n board with n even and n ≥ 4.
Abstract: In this paper the main objective is to analyze the
quality of service of the bus companies operating in the city of
Campos, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This analysis,
based on the opinion of the bus customers, will help to determine
their degree of satisfaction with the service provided by the bus
companies. The result of this assessment shows that the bus
customers are displeased with the quality of service supplied by the
bus companies. Therefore, it is necessary to identify alternative
solutions to minimize the consequences of the main problems related
to customers- dissatisfaction identified in our evaluation and to help
the bus companies operating in Campos better fulfill their riders-
needs.
Abstract: This paper presents a method to support dynamic
packing in cases when no collision-free path can be found. The
method, which is primarily based on path planning and shrinking of
geometries, suggests a minimal geometry design change that results
in a collision-free assembly path. A supplementing approach to
optimize geometry design change with respect to redesign cost is
described. Supporting this dynamic packing method, a new method
to shrink geometry based on vertex translation, interweaved with
retriangulation, is suggested. The shrinking method requires neither
tetrahedralization nor calculation of medial axis and it preserves the
topology of the geometry, i.e. holes are neither lost nor introduced.
The proposed methods are successfully applied on industrial
geometries.
Abstract: In this paper discrete choice models, Logit and Probit
are examined in order to predict the economic recession or expansion
periods in USA. Additionally we propose an adaptive neuro-fuzzy
inference system with triangular membership function. We examine
the in-sample period 1947-2005 and we test the models in the out-of
sample period 2006-2009. The forecasting results indicate that the
Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model outperforms
significant the Logit and Probit models in the out-of sample period.
This indicates that neuro-fuzzy model provides a better and more
reliable signal on whether or not a financial crisis will take place.
Abstract: A multicriteria linear programming problem with integer variables and parameterized optimality principle "from lexicographic to Slater" is considered. A situation in which initial coefficients of penalty cost functions are not fixed but may be potentially a subject to variations is studied. For any efficient solution, appropriate measures of the quality are introduced which incorporate information about variations of penalty cost function coefficients. These measures correspond to the so-called stability and accuracy functions defined earlier for efficient solutions of a generic multicriteria combinatorial optimization problem with Pareto and lexicographic optimality principles. Various properties of such functions are studied and maximum norms of perturbations for which an efficient solution preserves the property of being efficient are calculated.
Abstract: While compressing text files is useful, compressing
still image files is almost a necessity. A typical image takes up much
more storage than a typical text message and without compression
images would be extremely clumsy to store and distribute. The
amount of information required to store pictures on modern
computers is quite large in relation to the amount of bandwidth
commonly available to transmit them over the Internet and
applications. Image compression addresses the problem of reducing
the amount of data required to represent a digital image. Performance
of any image compression method can be evaluated by measuring the
root-mean-square-error & peak signal to noise ratio. The method of
image compression that will be analyzed in this paper is based on the
lossy JPEG image compression technique, the most popular
compression technique for color images. JPEG compression is able to
greatly reduce file size with minimal image degradation by throwing
away the least “important" information. In JPEG, both color
components are downsampled simultaneously, but in this paper we
will compare the results when the compression is done by
downsampling the single chroma part. In this paper we will
demonstrate more compression ratio is achieved when the
chrominance blue is downsampled as compared to downsampling the
chrominance red in JPEG compression. But the peak signal to noise
ratio is more when the chrominance red is downsampled as compared
to downsampling the chrominance blue in JPEG compression. In
particular we will use the hats.jpg as a demonstration of JPEG
compression using low pass filter and demonstrate that the image is
compressed with barely any visual differences with both methods.
Abstract: Demand of energy is increasing faster than the
generation. It leads shortage of power in all sectors of society. At
peak hours this shortage is higher. Unless we utilize energy efficient
technology, it is very difficult to minimize the shortage of energy. So
energy efficiency program and energy conservation has an important
role. Energy efficient technologies are cost intensive hence it is
always not possible to implement in country like India. In the recent
study, an educational building with operating hours from 10:00 a.m.
to 05:00 p.m. has been selected to quantify the possibility of lighting
energy conservation. As the operating hour is in daytime, integration
of daylight with artificial lighting system will definitely reduce the
lighting energy consumption. Moreover the initial investment has
been given priority and hence the existing lighting installation was
unaltered. An automatic controller has been designed which will be
operated as a function of daylight through windows and the lighting
system of the room will function accordingly. The result of the study
of integrating daylight gave quite satisfactory for visual comfort as
well as energy conservation.
Abstract: A spectrophotometric method was developed for simultaneous quantification of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSE) triprolidine hydrochloride (TRI) using second derivative method (zero-crossing technique). The second derivative amplitudes of PSE and TRI were measured at 271 and 321 nm, respectively. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 200 to 1,000 g/ml for PSE and 10 to 50 g/ml for TRI. The method was validated for specificity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection and limit of quantitation. The proposed method was applied to the assaying and dissolution of PSE and TRI in commercial tablets without any chemical separation. The results were compared with those obtained by the official USP31 method and statistical tests showed that there is no significant between the methods at 95% confidence level. The proposed method is simple, rapid and suitable for the routine quality control application. KeywordsTriprolidine, Pseudoephedrine, Derivative spectrophotometry, Dissolution testing.
Abstract: Explosions may cause intensive damage to buildings
and sometimes lead to total and progressive destruction. Pressures
induced by explosions are one of the most destructive loads a
structure may experience. While designing structures for great
explosions may be expensive and impractical, engineers are looking
for methods for preventing destructions resulted from explosions. A
favorable structural system is a system which does not disrupt totally
due to local explosion, since such structures sustain less loss in
comparison with structural ones which really bear the load and
suddenly disrupt. Designing and establishing vital and necessary
installations in a way that it is resistant against direct hit of bomb and
rocket is not practical, economical, or expedient in many cases,
because the cost of construction and installation with such
specifications is several times more than the total cost of the related
equipment.
Abstract: A system for market identification (SMI) is presented.
The resulting representations are multivariable dynamic demand
models. The market specifics are analyzed. Appropriate models and
identification techniques are chosen. Multivariate static and dynamic
models are used to represent the market behavior. The steps of the
first stage of SMI, named data preprocessing, are mentioned. Next,
the second stage, which is the model estimation, is considered in more
details. Stepwise linear regression (SWR) is used to determine the
significant cross-effects and the orders of the model polynomials. The
estimates of the model parameters are obtained by a numerically stable
estimator. Real market data is used to analyze SMI performance.
The main conclusion is related to the applicability of multivariate
dynamic models for representation of market systems.
Abstract: The continuity in the electric supply of the electric installations is becoming one of the main requirements of the electric supply network (generation, transmission, and distribution of the electric energy). The achievement of this requirement depends from one side on the structure of the electric network and on the other side on the avaibility of the reserve source provided to maintain the supply in case of failure of the principal one. The avaibility of supply does not only depends on the reliability parameters of the both sources (principal and reserve) but it also depends on the reliability of the circuit breaker which plays the role of interlocking the reserve source in case of failure of the principal one. In addition, the principal source being under operation, its control can be ideal and sure, however, for the reserve source being in stop, a preventive maintenances which proceed on time intervals (periodicity) and for well defined lengths of time are envisaged, so that this source will always available in case of the principal source failure. The choice of the periodicity of preventive maintenance of the source of reserve influences directly the reliability of the electric feeder system In this work and on the basis of the semi- markovian's processes, the influence of the time of interlocking the reserve source upon the reliability of an industrial electric network is studied and is given the optimal time of interlocking the reserve source in case of failure the principal one, also the influence of the periodicity of the preventive maintenance of the source of reserve is studied and is given the optimal periodicity.
Abstract: In this research, the diffusion of innovation regarding
smartphone usage is analysed through a consumer behaviour theory.
This research aims to determine whether a pattern surrounding the
diffusion of innovation exists. As a methodology, an empirical study
of the switch from a conventional cell phone to a smartphone was
performed. Specifically, a questionnaire survey was completed by
general consumers, and the situational and behavioural characteristics
of switching from a cell phone to a smartphone were analysed. In
conclusion, we found that the speed of the diffusion of innovation, the
consumer behaviour characteristics, and the utilities of the product
vary according to the stage of the product life cycle.
Abstract: The utilization of cheese whey as a fermentation
substrate to produce bio-ethanol is an effort to supply bio-ethanol
demand as a renewable energy. Like other process systems, modeling
is also required for fermentation process design, optimization and
plant operation. This research aims to study the fermentation process
of cheese whey by applying mathematics and fundamental concept in
chemical engineering, and to investigate the characteristic of the
cheese whey fermentation process. Steady state simulation results for
inlet substrate concentration of 50, 100 and 150 g/l, and various
values of hydraulic retention time, showed that the ethanol
productivity maximum values were 0.1091, 0.3163 and 0.5639 g/l.h
respectively. Those values were achieved at hydraulic retention time
of 20 hours, which was the minimum value used in this modeling.
This showed that operating reactor at low hydraulic retention time
was favorable. Model of bio-ethanol production from cheese whey
will enhance the understanding of what really happen in the
fermentation process.
Abstract: Batch adsorption of recalcitrant melanoidin using the abundantly available coal fly ash was carried out. It had low specific surface area (SBET) of 1.7287 m2/g and pore volume of 0.002245 cm3/g while qualitative evaluation of the predominant phases in it was done by XRD analysis. Colour removal efficiency was found to be dependent on various factors studied. Maximum colour removal was achieved around pH 6, whereas increasing sorbent mass from 10g/L to 200 g/L enhanced colour reduction from 25% to 86% at 298 K. Spontaneity of the process was suggested by negative Gibbs free energy while positive values for enthalpy change showed endothermic nature of the process. Non-linear optimization of error functions resulted in Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherms describing sorption equilibrium data best. The coal fly ash had maximum sorption capacity of 53 mg/g and could thus be used as a low cost adsorbent in melanoidin removal.
Abstract: This paper presents Genetic Algorithm (GA) based
approach for the allocation of FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission
System) devices for the improvement of Power transfer capacity in an
interconnected Power System. The GA based approach is applied on
IEEE 30 BUS System. The system is reactively loaded starting from
base to 200% of base load. FACTS devices are installed in the
different locations of the power system and system performance is
noticed with and without FACTS devices. First, the locations, where
the FACTS devices to be placed is determined by calculating active
and reactive power flows in the lines. Genetic Algorithm is then
applied to find the amount of magnitudes of the FACTS devices. This
approach of GA based placement of FACTS devices is tremendous
beneficial both in terms of performance and economy is clearly
observed from the result obtained.
Abstract: This paper proposes an effective algorithm approach to hybrid control systems combining fuzzy logic and conventional control techniques of controlling the speed of induction motor assumed to operate in high-performance drives environment. The introducing of fuzzy logic in the control systems helps to achieve good dynamical response, disturbance rejection and low sensibility to parameter variations and external influences. Some fundamentals of the fuzzy logic control are preliminary illustrated. The developed control algorithm is robust, efficient and simple. It also assures precise trajectory tracking with the prescribed dynamics. Experimental results have shown excellent tracking performance of the proposed control system, and have convincingly demonstrated the validity and the usefulness of the hybrid fuzzy controller in high-performance drives with parameter and load uncertainties. Satisfactory performance was observed for most reference tracks.
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: Discrete choice model is the most used methodology for studying traveler-s mode choice and demand. However, to calibrate the discrete choice model needs to have plenty of questionnaire survey. In this study, an aggregative model is proposed. The historical data of passenger volumes for high speed rail and domestic civil aviation are employed to calibrate and validate the model. In this study, different models are compared so as to propose the best one. From the results, systematic equations forecast better than single equation do. Models with the external variable, which is oil price, are better than models based on closed system assumption.