Abstract: In this paper, a fuzzy algorithm and a fuzzy multicriteria
decision framework are developed and used for a practical
question of optimizing biofuels policy making. The methodological
framework shows how to incorporate fuzzy set theory in a decision
process of finding a sustainable biofuels policy among several policy
options. Fuzzy set theory is used here as a tool to deal with
uncertainties of decision environment, vagueness and ambiguities of
policy objectives, subjectivities of human assessments and imprecise
and incomplete information about the evaluated policy instruments.
Abstract: The paper describes the futures trading and aims to
design the speculators trading strategy. The problem is formulated as
the decision making task and such as is solved. The solution of the
task leads to complex mathematical problems and the approximations
of the decision making is demanded. Two kind of approximation are
used in the paper: Monte Carlo for the multi-step prediction and
iteration spread in time for the optimization. The solution is applied to the real-market data and the results of the off-line experiments are
presented.
Abstract: This paper presents a generalized form of the
mechanistic deconvolution technique (GMD) to modeling image sensors applicable in various pan–tilt planes of view. The mechanistic deconvolution technique (UMD) is modified with the
given angles of a pan–tilt plane of view to formulate constraint parameters and characterize distortion effects, and thereby, determine
the corrected image data. This, as a result, does not require experimental setup or calibration. Due to the mechanistic nature of
the sensor model, the necessity for the sensor image plane to be
orthogonal to its z-axis is eliminated, and it reduces the dependency on image data. An experiment was constructed to evaluate the
accuracy of a model created by GMD and its insensitivity to changes in sensor properties and in pan and tilt angles. This was compared
with a pre-calibrated model and a model created by UMD using two sensors with different specifications. It achieved similar accuracy
with one-seventh the number of iterations and attained lower mean error by a factor of 2.4 when compared to the pre-calibrated and
UMD model respectively. The model has also shown itself to be robust and, in comparison to pre-calibrated and UMD model, improved the accuracy significantly.
Abstract: A laboratory study on the influence of compactive
effort on expansive black cotton specimens treated with up to 8%
ordinary Portland cement (OPC) admixed with up to 8% bagasse ash
(BA) by dry weight of soil and compacted using the energies of the
standard Proctor (SP), West African Standard (WAS) or
“intermediate” and modified Proctor (MP) were undertaken. The
expansive black cotton soil was classified as A-7-6 (16) or CL using
the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO) and Unified Soil Classification System (USCS),
respectively. The 7day unconfined compressive strength (UCS)
values of the natural soil for SP, WAS and MP compactive efforts are
286, 401 and 515kN/m2 respectively, while peak values of 1019,
1328 and 1420kN/m2 recorded at 8% OPC/ 6% BA, 8% OPC/ 2% BA
and 6% OPC/ 4% BA treatments, respectively were less than the
UCS value of 1710kN/m2 conventionally used as criterion for
adequate cement stabilization. The soaked California bearing ratio
(CBR) values of the OPC/BA stabilized soil increased with higher
energy level from 2, 4 and 10% for the natural soil to Peak values of
55, 18 and 8% were recorded at 8% OPC/4% BA 8% OPC/2% BA
and 8% OPC/4% BA, treatments when SP, WAS and MP compactive
effort were used, respectively. The durability of specimens was
determined by immersion in water. Soils treatment at 8% OPC/ 4%
BA blend gave a value of 50% resistance to loss in strength value
which is acceptable because of the harsh test condition of 7 days
soaking period specimens were subjected instead of the 4 days
soaking period that specified a minimum resistance to loss in strength
of 80%. Finally An optimal blend of is 8% OPC/ 4% BA is
recommended for treatment of expansive black cotton soil for use as
a sub-base material.
Abstract: The Knowledge Management (KM) Criteria is an
essential foundation to evaluate KM outcomes. Different sets of
criteria were developed and tailored by many researchers to
determine the results of KM initiatives. However, literature review
has emphasized on incomplete set of criteria for evaluating KM
outcomes. Hence, this paper tried to address the problem of
determining the criteria for measuring knowledge management
outcomes among different types of Malaysian organizations.
Successively, this paper was assumed to develop widely accepted
criteria to measure success of knowledge management efforts for
Malaysian organizations. Our analysis approach was based on the
ANOVA procedure to compare a set of criteria among different types
of organizations. This set of criteria was exploited from literature
review. It is hoped that this study provides a better picture for
different types of Malaysian organizations to establish a
comprehensive set of criteria due to measure results of KM programs.
Abstract: Among the numerous economic evaluation techniques currently available, Multi-criteria Spatial Analysis lends itself to solving localization problems of property complexes and, in particular, production plants. The methodology involves the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and the mapping overlay technique, which overlaps the different information layers of a territory in order to obtain an overview of the parameters that characterize it. This first phase is used to detect possible settlement surfaces of a new agglomeration, subsequently selected through Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), so as to choose the best alternative. The result ensures the synthesis of a multidimensional profile that expresses both the quantitative and qualitative effects. Each criterion can be given a different weight.
Abstract: In this paper the problem of face recognition under variable illumination conditions is considered. Most of the works in the literature exhibit good performance under strictly controlled acquisition conditions, but the performance drastically drop when changes in pose and illumination occur, so that recently number of approaches have been proposed to deal with such variability. The aim of this work is to introduce an efficient local appearance feature extraction method based steerable pyramid (SP) for face recognition. Local information is extracted from SP sub-bands using LBP(Local binary Pattern). The underlying statistics allow us to reduce the required amount of data to be stored. The experiments carried out on different face databases confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Abstract: This paper describes a practical approach to design
and develop a hybrid learning with acceleration feedback control
(HLC) scheme for input tracking and end-point vibration suppression
of flexible manipulator systems. Initially, a collocated proportionalderivative
(PD) control scheme using hub-angle and hub-velocity
feedback is developed for control of rigid-body motion of the system.
This is then extended to incorporate a further hybrid control scheme
of the collocated PD control and iterative learning control with
acceleration feedback using genetic algorithms (GAs) to optimize the
learning parameters. Experimental results of the response of the
manipulator with the control schemes are presented in the time and
frequency domains. The performance of the HLC is assessed in terms
of input tracking, level of vibration reduction at resonance modes and
robustness with various payloads.
Abstract: Implicit equations play a crucial role in Engineering.
Based on this importance, several techniques have been applied to
solve this particular class of equations. When it comes to practical
applications, in general, iterative procedures are taken into account.
On the other hand, with the improvement of computers, other
numerical methods have been developed to provide a more
straightforward methodology of solution. Analytical exact approaches
seem to have been continuously neglected due to the difficulty
inherent in their application; notwithstanding, they are indispensable
to validate numerical routines. Lagrange-s Inversion Theorem is a
simple mathematical tool which has proved to be widely applicable to
engineering problems. In short, it provides the solution to implicit
equations by means of an infinite series. To show the validity of this
method, the tree-parameter infiltration equation is, for the first time,
analytically and exactly solved. After manipulating these series,
closed-form solutions are presented as H-functions.
Abstract: The innovation performance of nations has been
repeatedly measured in the literature. We argue that while the
literature offers many suggestions, their theoretical foundation is
often weak and the underlying assumptions are rarely discussed. In
this paper, we systematize various mechanisms by which spatial units
influence nation and firms' innovation activities. On the basis of this,
common innovation performance measures and analyses are
discussed and evaluated. It is concluded that there is no general best
way of measuring the innovation performance of spatial units. In
fact, the most interesting insights can be obtained using a multitude
of different approaches at the same time.
Abstract: One of the ubiquitous routines in medical practice is searching through voluminous piles of clinical documents. In this paper we introduce a distributed system to search and exchange clinical documents. Clinical documents are distributed peer-to-peer. Relevant information is found in multiple iterations of cross-searches between the clinical text and its domain encyclopedia.
Abstract: Computer aided design accounts with the support of
parametric software in the design of machine components as well as
of any other pieces of interest. The complexities of the element under
study sometimes offer certain difficulties to computer design, or ever
might generate mistakes in the final body conception. Reverse
engineering techniques are based on the transformation of already
conceived body images into a matrix of points which can be
visualized by the design software. The literature exhibits several
techniques to obtain machine components dimensional fields, as
contact instrument (MMC), calipers and optical methods as laser
scanner, holograms as well as moiré methods. The objective of this
research work was to analyze the moiré technique as instrument of
reverse engineering, applied to bodies of nom complex geometry as
simple solid figures, creating matrices of points. These matrices were
forwarded to a parametric software named SolidWorks to generate
the virtual object. Volume data obtained by mechanical means, i.e.,
by caliper, the volume obtained through the moiré method and the
volume generated by the SolidWorks software were compared and
found to be in close agreement. This research work suggests the
application of phase shifting moiré methods as instrument of reverse
engineering, serving also to support farm machinery element designs.
Abstract: S-boxes (Substitution boxes) are keystones of modern
symmetric cryptosystems (block ciphers, as well as stream ciphers).
S-boxes bring nonlinearity to cryptosystems and strengthen their
cryptographic security. They are used for confusion in data security
An S-box satisfies the strict avalanche criterion (SAC), if and only if
for any single input bit of the S-box, the inversion of it changes each
output bit with probability one half. If a function (cryptographic
transformation) is complete, then each output bit depends on all of
the input bits. Thus, if it were possible to find the simplest Boolean
expression for each output bit in terms of the input bits, each of these
expressions would have to contain all of the input bits if the function
is complete. From some important properties of S-box, the most
interesting property SAC (Strict Avalanche Criterion) is presented
and to analyze this property three analysis methods are proposed.
Abstract: Waste management is now a global concern due to its
high environmental impact on climate change. Because of generating
huge amount of waste through our daily activities, managing waste in
an efficient way has become more important than ever. Alternative
Waste Technology (AWT), a new category of waste treatment
technology has been developed for energy recovery in recent years to
address this issue. AWT describes a technology that redirects waste
away from landfill, recovers more useable resources from the waste
flow and reduces the impact on the surroundings. Australia is one of
the largest producers of waste per-capita. A number of AWTs are
using in Australia to produce energy from waste. Presently, it is vital
to identify an appropriate AWT to establish a sustainable waste
management system in Australia. Identification of an appropriate
AWT through Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) of four AWTs by using
five key decision making criteria is presented and discussed in this
paper.
Abstract: Numerical analysis naturally finds applications in all
fields of engineering and the physical sciences, but in the
21st century, the life sciences and even the arts have adopted
elements of scientific computations. The numerical data analysis
became key process in research and development of all the fields [6].
In this paper we have made an attempt to analyze the specified
numerical patterns with reference to the association rule mining
techniques with minimum confidence and minimum support mining
criteria. The extracted rules and analyzed results are graphically
demonstrated. Association rules are a simple but very useful form of
data mining that describe the probabilistic co-occurrence of certain
events within a database [7]. They were originally designed to
analyze market-basket data, in which the likelihood of items being
purchased together within the same transactions are analyzed.
Abstract: The objective of this project is to produce computer
assisted instruction(CAI) for welding and brazing in order to
determine the efficiency of the instruction package and the study
accomplishment of learner by studying through computer assisted
instruction for welding and brazing it was examined through the
target group surveyed from the 30 students studying in the two year
of 5-year-academic program, department of production technology
education, faculty of industrial education and technology, king
mongkut-s university of technology thonburi. The result of the
research indicated that the media evaluated by experts and subject
matter quality evaluation of computer assisted instruction for welding
and brazing was in line for the good criterion. The mean of score
evaluated before the study, during the study and after the study was
34.58, 83.33 and 83.43, respectively. The efficiency of the lesson was
83.33/83.43 which was higher than the expected value, 80/80. The
study accomplishment of the learner, who utilizes computer assisted
instruction for welding and brazing as a media, was higher and equal
to the significance statistical level of 95%. The value was 1.669
which was equal to 35.36>1.669. It could be summarized that
computer assisted instruction for welding and brazing was the
efficient media to use for studying and teaching.
Abstract: This article discusses superordinate national identity as a means for immigrants integration into democratic polities. It is suggested that a superordinate national identity perceived as inclusive, by immigrants and by the native population, would be conducive to such integration. Command of the dominant language of society is seen as most important of the inclusive criteria. Other such criteria are respect of the country's political institutions and feelings of belonging to the country where you live. The argument is supported by data, showing a majority in favour of inclusive criteria for 'Swedishness', from a recent study among 1000 secondary school students of 'Swedish' and non-'Swedish' backgrounds.
Abstract: A pressure-based implicit procedure to solve Navier-
Stokes equations on a nonorthogonal mesh with collocated finite
volume formulation is used to simulate flow around the smart and
conventional flaps of spoiler under the ground effect. Cantilever
beam with uniformly varying load with roller support at the free end
is considered for smart flaps. The boundedness criteria for this
procedure are determined from a Normalized Variable diagram
(NVD) scheme. The procedure incorporates es the k -ε eddyviscosity
turbulence model. The method is first validated against
experimental data. Then, the algorithm is applied for turbulent
aerodynamic flows around a spoiler section with smart and
conventional flaps for different attack angle, flap angle and ground
clearance where the results of two flaps are compared.
Abstract: This paper proposes an improved approach based on
conventional particle swarm optimization (PSO) for solving an
economic dispatch(ED) problem with considering the generator
constraints. The mutation operators of the differential evolution (DE)
are used for improving diversity exploration of PSO, which called
particle swarm optimization with mutation operators (PSOM). The
mutation operators are activated if velocity values of PSO nearly to
zero or violated from the boundaries. Four scenarios of mutation
operators are implemented for PSOM. The simulation results of all
scenarios of the PSOM outperform over the PSO and other existing
approaches which appeared in literatures.
Abstract: This paper presents a linear stability analysis of
natural convection in a horizontal layer of a viscoelastic
nanofluid. The Oldroyd B model was utilized to describe the
rheological behavior of a viscoelastic nanofluid. The model
used for the nanofluid incorporated the effects of Brownian
motion and thermophoresis. The onset criterion for stationary
and oscillatory convection was derived analytically. The effects
of the Deborah number, retardation parameters, concentration
Rayleigh number, Prandtl number, and Lewis number on the
stability of the system were investigated. Results indicated that
there was competition among the processes of thermophoresis,
Brownian diffusion, and viscoelasticity which caused
oscillatory rather than stationary convection to occur.
Oscillatory instability is possible with both bottom- and
top-heavy nanoparticle distributions. Regimes of stationary and
oscillatory convection for various parameters were derived and
are discussed in detail.