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.
Abstract: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a measure of
kidney function. It is usually estimated from serum concentrations of
cystatin C or creatinine although there has been considerable debate
in the literature about (i) the best equation to use and (ii) the
variability in the correlation between the concentrations of creatinine
and cystatin C. The equations for GFR can be written in a general
form and from these I calculate the error of the GFR estimates
associated with analyte measurement error. These show that the
error of the GFR estimates is such that it is not possible to distinguish
between the equations over much of the concentration range of either
analyte. The general forms of the equations are also used to derive
an expression for the concentration of cystatin C as a function of the
concentration of creatinine. This equation shows that these analyte
concentrations are not linearly related. Clinical reports of cystatin C
and creatinine concentration are consistent with the expression
derived.
Abstract: In this paper delamination phenomenon in
Carbon-Epoxy laminated composite material is investigated
numerically. Arcan apparatus and specimen is modeled in ABAQUS
finite element software for different loading conditions and crack
geometries. The influence of variation of crack geometry on
interlaminar fracture stress intensity factor and energy release rate for
various mixed mode ratios and pure mode I and II was studied. Also,
correction factors for this specimen for different crack length ratios
were calculated. The finite element results indicate that for loading
angles close to pure mode-II loading, a high ratio of mode-II to
mode-I fracture is dominant and there is an opposite trend for loading
angles close to pure mode-I loading. It confirms that by varying the
loading angle of Arcan specimen pure mode-I, pure mode-II and a
wide range of mixed-mode loading conditions can be created and
tested. Also, numerical results confirm that the increase of the mode-
II loading contribution leads to an increase of fracture resistance in
the CF/PEI composite (i.e., a reduction in the total strain energy
release rate) and the increase of the crack length leads to a reduction
of interlaminar fracture resistance in the CF/PEI composite (i.e., an
increase in the total interlaminar strain energy release rate).
Abstract: An implant elicits a biological response in the
surrounding tissue which determines the acceptance and long-term
function of the implant. Dental implants have become one of the
main therapy methods in clinic after teeth lose. A successful implant
is in contact with bone and soft tissue represent by fibroblasts. In our
study we focused on the interaction between six different chemically
and physically modified titanium implants (Tis-MALP, Tis-O, Tis-
OA, Tis-OPAAE, Tis-OZ, Tis-OPAE) with alveolar fibroblasts as
well as with five type of microorganisms (S. epidermis, S.mutans, S.
gordonii, S. intermedius, C.albicans). The analysis of microorganism
adhesion was determined by CFU (colony forming unite) and biofilm
formation. The presence of α3β1 and vinculin expression on alveolar
fibroblasts was demonstrated using phospho specific cell based
ELISA (PACE). Alveolar fibroblasts have the highest expression of
these proteins on Tis-OPAAE and Tis-OPAE. It corresponds with
results from bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation and it was
related to the lowest production of collagen I by alveolar fibroblasts
on Tis-OPAAE titanium disc.
Abstract: This paper proposes a hybrid method for eyes localization
in facial images. The novelty is in combining techniques
that utilise colour, edge and illumination cues to improve accuracy.
The method is based on the observation that eye regions have dark
colour, high density of edges and low illumination as compared
to other parts of face. The first step in the method is to extract
connected regions from facial images using colour, edge density and
illumination cues separately. Some of the regions are then removed
by applying rules that are based on the general geometry and shape
of eyes. The remaining connected regions obtained through these
three cues are then combined in a systematic way to enhance the
identification of the candidate regions for the eyes. The geometry
and shape based rules are then applied again to further remove the
false eye regions. The proposed method was tested using images from
the PICS facial images database. The proposed method has 93.7%
and 87% accuracies for initial blobs extraction and final eye detection
respectively.
Abstract: The Aggregate Production Plan (APP) is a schedule of
the organization-s overall operations over a planning horizon to
satisfy demand while minimizing costs. It is the baseline for any
further planning and formulating the master production scheduling,
resources, capacity and raw material planning. This paper presents a
methodology to model the Aggregate Production Planning problem,
which is combinatorial in nature, when optimized with Genetic
Algorithms. This is done considering a multitude of constraints of
contradictory nature and the optimization criterion – overall cost,
made up of costs with production, work force, inventory, and
subcontracting. A case study of substantial size, used to develop the
model, is presented, along with the genetic operators.
Abstract: This article considers with the influence of selected economic indicators for the development of the Zlin region. Development of the region is mainly influenced by business entities which are located in the region, as well as investors who contribute to the development of regions. For the development of the region it is necessary for skilled workers remain in the region and not to leave these skilled workers. The above-mentioned and other factors are affecting the development of each region.
Abstract: This research aims to study the lead pollution in the air of Babylon governorate that resulted generally from vehicles exhausts in addition to industrial and human activities.Vehicles number in Babylon governorate increased significantly after year 2003 that resulted with increase in lead emissions into the air.Measurement of lead emissions was done in seven stations distributed randomly in Babylon governorate. These stations where located in Industrial (Al-Sena'ay) Quarter, 60 street (near to Babylon sewer directorate), 40 Street (near to the first intersection), Al-Hashmia city, Al-Mahaweel city, , Al- Musayab city in addition to another station in Sayd Idris village belong to Abugharaq district (Agricultural station for comparison). The measured concentrations in these stations were compared with the standard limits of Environmental Protection Agency EPA (2 μg /m3). The results of this study showed that the average of lead concentrations ,in Babylon governorate during year 2010, was (3.13 μg/m3) which was greater than standard limits (2 μg/m3). The maximum concentration of lead was (6.41 μg / m3) recorded in the Industrial (Al-Sena'ay) Quarter during April month, while the minimum concentrations was (0.36 μg / m3) recorded in the agricultural station (Abugharaq) during December month.
Abstract: The paper investigates the potential of support vector
machines and Gaussian process based regression approaches to
model the oxygen–transfer capacity from experimental data of
multiple plunging jets oxygenation systems. The results suggest the
utility of both the modeling techniques in the prediction of the
overall volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (KLa) from operational
parameters of multiple plunging jets oxygenation system. The
correlation coefficient root mean square error and coefficient of
determination values of 0.971, 0.002 and 0.945 respectively were
achieved by support vector machine in comparison to values of
0.960, 0.002 and 0.920 respectively achieved by Gaussian process
regression. Further, the performances of both these regression
approaches in predicting the overall volumetric oxygen transfer
coefficient was compared with the empirical relationship for multiple
plunging jets. A comparison of results suggests that support vector
machines approach works well in comparison to both empirical
relationship and Gaussian process approaches, and could successfully
be employed in modeling oxygen-transfer.
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: A framework to estimate the state of dynamically
varying environment where data are generated from heterogeneous
sources possessing partial knowledge about the environment is presented.
This is entirely derived within Dempster-Shafer and Evidence
Filtering frameworks. The belief about the current state is expressed
as belief and plausibility functions. An addition to Single Input
Single Output Evidence Filter, Multiple Input Single Output Evidence
Filtering approach is introduced. Variety of applications such as
situational estimation of an emergency environment can be developed
within the framework successfully. Fire propagation scenario is used
to justify the proposed framework, simulation results are presented.