Abstract: There are many real world problems in which
parameters like the arrival time of new jobs, failure of resources, and
completion time of jobs change continuously. This paper tackles the
problem of scheduling jobs with random due dates on multiple
identical machines in a stochastic environment. First to assign jobs to
different machine centers LPT scheduling methods have been used,
after that the particular sequence of jobs to be processed on the
machine have been found using simple stochastic techniques. The
performance parameter under consideration has been the maximum
lateness concerning the stochastic due dates which are independent
and exponentially distributed. At the end a relevant problem has been
solved using the techniques in the paper..
Abstract: With the advent of digital cinema and digital
broadcasting, copyright protection of video data has been one of the
most important issues.
We present a novel method of watermarking for video image data
based on the hardware and digital wavelet transform techniques and
name it as “traceable watermarking" because the watermarked data is
constructed before the transmission process and traced after it has been
received by an authorized user.
In our method, we embed the watermark to the lowest part of each
image frame in decoded video by using a hardware LSI.
Digital Cinema is an important application for traceable
watermarking since digital cinema system makes use of watermarking
technology during content encoding, encryption, transmission,
decoding and all the intermediate process to be done in digital cinema
systems. The watermark is embedded into the randomly selected
movie frames using hash functions.
Embedded watermark information can be extracted from the
decoded video data. For that, there is no need to access original movie
data. Our experimental results show that proposed traceable
watermarking method for digital cinema system is much better than the
convenient watermarking techniques in terms of robustness, image
quality, speed, simplicity and robust structure.
Abstract: The new idea of analyze of power system failure with
use of artificial neural network is proposed. An analysis of the
possibility of simulating phenomena accompanying system faults and
restitution is described. It was indicated that the universal model for
the simulation of phenomena in whole analyzed range does not exist.
The main classic method of search of optimal structure and
parameter identification are described shortly. The example with
results of calculation is shown.
Abstract: The objective of this research is to study the technical
and economic performance of wind/diesel/battery (W/D/B) system
supplying a remote small gathering of six families using HOMER
software package. The electrical energy is to cater for the basic needs
for which the daily load pattern is estimated. Net Present Cost (NPC)
and Cost of Energy (COE) are used as economic criteria, while the measure of performance is % of power shortage. Technical and
economic parameters are defined to estimate the feasibility of the
system under study. Optimum system configurations are estimated for two sites. Using HOMER software, the simulation results showed that W/D/B systems are economical for the assumed community sites
as the price of generated electricity is about 0.308 $/kWh, without
taking external benefits into considerations. W/D/B systems are more
economical than W/B or diesel alone systems, as the COE is 0.86 $/kWh for W/B and 0.357 $/kWh for diesel alone.
Abstract: Shoots, with three leaves, of Paphiopedilum 'Delrosi'
were used as explants for multiple shoot induction. Modified
Hyponex medium was supplemented with thidiazuron (TDZ), N6-
benzyladenine (BA) or kinetin (Kn) alone and in combinations with
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). All explants were cultured
for 15 weeks. It was found that TDZ alone at the concentration of
0.45μM or in combination with 4.52μM 2,4-D and 8.88μM BA in
combination with 13.56μM 2,4-D promoted multiple shoots. The
highest shoot sprouting efficiencies (80.0, 90.0 and 80.0%) and new
shoot numbers (1.5, 1.3 and 1.1) were obtained, respectively. Fresh
weight, height, numbers of leaf and root of new shoots and initial
explants were discussed.
Abstract: The optimization problem using time scales is studied.
Time scale is a model of time. The language of time scales seems to
be an ideal tool to unify the continuous-time and the discrete-time
theories. In this work we present necessary conditions for a solution
of an optimization problem on time scales. To obtain that result we
use properties and results of the partial diamond-alpha derivatives for
continuous-multivariable functions. These results are also presented
here.
Abstract: In this work, several ASP solutions were flooded into
fractured models initially saturated with heavy oil at a constant flow
rate and different geometrical characteristics of fracture. The ASP
solutions are constituted from 2 polymers i.e. a synthetic polymer,
hydrolyzed polyacrylamide as well as a biopolymer, a surfactant and
2types of alkaline. The results showed that using synthetic
hydrolyzed polyacrylamide polymer increases ultimate oil recovery;
however, type of alkaline does not play a significant rule on oil
recovery. In addition, position of the injection well respect to the
fracture system has remarkable effects on ASP flooding. For instance
increasing angle of fractures with mean flow direction causes more
oil recovery and delays breakthrough time. This work can be
accounted as a comprehensive survey on ASP flooding which
considers most of effective factors in this chemical EOR method.
Abstract: An Automated Rapid Maxillary Expander (ARME) is
a specially designed microcontroller-based orthodontic appliance to
overcome the shortcomings imposed by the traditional maxillary
expansion appliances. This new device is operates by automatically
widening the maxilla (upper jaw) by expanding the midpalatal suture
[1]. The ARME appliance that has been developed is a combination
of modified butterfly expander appliance, micro gear, micro motor,
and microcontroller to automatically produce light and continuous
pressure to expand the maxilla. For this study, the functionality of the
system is verified through laboratory tests by measure the forced
applied to the teeth each time the maxilla expands. The laboratory
test results show that the developed appliance meets the desired
performance specifications consistently.
Abstract: The deviation between the target state variable and the
practical state variable should be used to form the state tending factor
of complex systems, which can reflect the process for the complex
system to tend rationalization. Relating to the system of basic
equations of complete factor synergetics consisting of twenty
nonlinear stochastic differential equations, the two new models are
considered to set, which should be called respectively the
rationalizing tendency model and the non- rationalizing tendency
model. Therefore we can extend the theory of programming with the
objective function & constraint condition suitable only for the realm
of man-s activities into the new analysis with the tendency function &
constraint condition suitable for all the field of complex system.
Abstract: A novel nanofinishing process using improved ball
end magnetorheological (MR) finishing tool was developed for finishing of flat as well as 3D surfaces of ferromagnetic and non ferromagnetic workpieces. In this process a magnetically controlled
ball end of smart MR polishing fluid is generated at the tip surface of
the tool which is used as a finishing medium and it is guided to
follow the surface to be finished through computer controlled 3-axes
motion controller. The experiments were performed on ferromagnetic
workpiece surface in the developed MR finishing setup to study the effect of finishing time on final surface roughness. The performance
of present finishing process on final finished surface roughness was studied. The surface morphology was observed under scanning
electron microscopy and atomic force microscope. The final surface finish was obtained as low as 19.7 nm from the initial surface
roughness of 142.9 nm. The outcome of newly developed finishing process can be found useful in its applications in aerospace,
automotive, dies and molds manufacturing industries, semiconductor and optics machining etc.
Abstract: Semantic Web Technologies enable machines to
interpret data published in a machine-interpretable form on the web.
At the present time, only human beings are able to understand the
product information published online. The emerging semantic Web
technologies have the potential to deeply influence the further
development of the Internet Economy. In this paper we propose a
scenario based research approach to predict the effects of these new
technologies on electronic markets and business models of traders
and intermediaries and customers. Over 300 million searches are
conducted everyday on the Internet by people trying to find what
they need. A majority of these searches are in the domain of
consumer ecommerce, where a web user is looking for something to
buy. This represents a huge cost in terms of people hours and an
enormous drain of resources. Agent enabled semantic search will
have a dramatic impact on the precision of these searches. It will
reduce and possibly eliminate information asymmetry where a better
informed buyer gets the best value. By impacting this key
determinant of market prices semantic web will foster the evolution
of different business and economic models. We submit that there is a
need for developing these futuristic models based on our current
understanding of e-commerce models and nascent semantic web
technologies. We believe these business models will encourage
mainstream web developers and businesses to join the “semantic web
revolution."
Abstract: In this paper, we explore the applicability of the Sinc-
Collocation method to a three-dimensional (3D) oceanography model.
The model describes a wind-driven current with depth-dependent
eddy viscosity in the complex-velocity system. In general, the
Sinc-based methods excel over other traditional numerical methods
due to their exponentially decaying errors, rapid convergence and
handling problems in the presence of singularities in end-points.
Together with these advantages, the Sinc-Collocation approach that
we utilize exploits first derivative interpolation, whose integration
is much less sensitive to numerical errors. We bring up several
model problems to prove the accuracy, stability, and computational
efficiency of the method. The approximate solutions determined by
the Sinc-Collocation technique are compared to exact solutions and
those obtained by the Sinc-Galerkin approach in earlier studies. Our
findings indicate that the Sinc-Collocation method outperforms other
Sinc-based methods in past studies.
Abstract: The identification and classification of the spine deformity play an important role when considering surgical planning for adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis. The subject of this article is the Lenke classification of scoliotic spines using Cobb angle measurements. The purpose is two-fold: (1) design a rulebased diagram to assist clinicians in the classification process and (2) investigate a computer classifier which improves the classification time and accuracy. The rule-based diagram efficiency was evaluated in a series of scoliotic classifications by 10 clinicians. The computer classifier was tested on a radiographic measurement database of 603 patients. Classification accuracy was 93% using the rule-based diagram and 99% for the computer classifier. Both the computer classifier and the rule based diagram can efficiently assist clinicians in their Lenke classification of spine scoliosis.
Abstract: The empirical studies on High Performance Work Systems (HPWSs) and their impacts on firm performance have remarkably little in the developing countries. This paper reviews literatures on the HPWSs practices in different work settings, Western and Asian countries. A review on the empirical research leads to a conclusion that, country differences influence the Human Resource Management (HRM) practices. It is anticipated that there are similarities and differences in the extent of implementation of HPWSs practices by the Malaysian manufacturing firms due to the organizational contextual factors and, the HPWSs have a significant impact on firms- better performance amongst MNCs and local firms.
Abstract: Green house effect has becomes a serious concern in
many countries due to the increase consumption of the fossil fuel.
There have been many studies to find an alternative power source.
Wind energy found to be one of the most useful solutions to help in
overcoming the air pollution and global. There is no agreed solution
to conversion of wind energy to electrical energy. In this paper, the
advantages of using a Switched Reluctance Generator (SRG) for
wind energy applications. The theoretical study of the self excitation
of a SRG and the determination of the variable parameters in a SRG
design are discussed. The design parameters for the maximum power
output of the SRG are computed using Matlab simulation. The
designs of the circuit to control the variable parameters in a SRG to
provide the maximum power output are also discussed.
Abstract: In this paper, subtractive clustering based fuzzy inference system approach is used for early detection of faults in the function oriented software systems. This approach has been tested with real time defect datasets of NASA software projects named as PC1 and CM1. Both the code based model and joined model (combination of the requirement and code based metrics) of the datasets are used for training and testing of the proposed approach. The performance of the models is recorded in terms of Accuracy, MAE and RMSE values. The performance of the proposed approach is better in case of Joined Model. As evidenced from the results obtained it can be concluded that Clustering and fuzzy logic together provide a simple yet powerful means to model the earlier detection of faults in the function oriented software systems.
Abstract: Due to the mobility of users, many information
systems are now developed with the capability of supporting retrieval
of information from both static and mobile users. Hence, the
amount, content and format of the information retrieved will need to
be tailored according to the device and the user who requested for it.
Thus, this paper presents a framework for the design and
implementation of such a system, which is to be developed for
communicating final examination related information to the
academic community at one university in Malaysia. The concept of
personalization will be implemented in the system so that only highly
relevant information will be delivered to the users. The
personalization concept used will be based on user profiling as well
as context. The system in its final state will be accessible through cell
phones as well as intranet connected personal computers.
Abstract: An experimental study of anaerobic treatment was performed by hybrid upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (HUASB) reactor to treat produced water (PW) of an onshore crude oil terminal (COD: 1597 mg/L, NH3-N: 14.7 mg/L, phenol: 13.8 mg/L, BOD5: 862 mg/L, sodium: 6240 mg/L and chloride 9530 mg/L). The produced water with high salinity and other toxic substances will inhibit the methanogens performance if there is no adaptation on biomass before anaerobic digestion. COD removal from produced water was investigated at five different dilutions of produced water and tap water (TW) without any nutrient addition and pre-treatment. The dilution ratios were 1PW:4TW, 2PW:3TW, 3PW:2TW, 4PW:1TW and 5PW:0TW. The reactor was evaluated at mesophilic operating condition (35 ± 2 °C) at 5 days of HRT for 250 days continuous feed. The average COD removals for 1PW:4TW, 2PW:3TW, 3PW:2TW, 4PW:1TW and 5PW:0TW were found to be approximately 76.1%, 73.8%, 70.3%, 46.3% and 61.82% respectively, with final average effluent COD of 123.7 mg/L, 240 mg/L, 294 mg/L, 589 mg/L and 738 mg/L, respectively.
Abstract: In this paper a new approach is proposed for the
adaptation of the simulated annealing search in the field of the
Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO). This new approach is called
Multi-Case Multi-Objective Simulated Annealing (MC-MOSA). It
uses some basics of a well-known recent Multi-Objective Simulated
Annealing proposed by Ulungu et al., which is referred in the
literature as U-MOSA. However, some drawbacks of this algorithm
have been found, and are substituted by other ones, especially in
the acceptance decision criterion. The MC-MOSA has shown better
performance than the U-MOSA in the numerical experiments. This
performance is further improved by some other subvariants of the
MC-MOSA, such as Fast-annealing MC-MOSA, Re-annealing MCMOSA
and the Two-Stage annealing MC-MOSA.
Abstract: The charge-pump circuit is an important component in a phase-locked loop (PLL). The charge-pump converts Up and Down signals from the phase/frequency detector (PFD) into current. A conventional CMOS charge-pump circuit consists of two switched current sources that pump charge into or out of the loop filter according to two logical inputs. The mismatch between the charging current and the discharging current causes phase offset and reference spurs in a PLL. We propose a new charge-pump circuit to reduce the current mismatch by using a regulated cascode circuit. The proposed charge-pump circuit is designed and simulated by spectre with TSMC 0.18-μm 1.8-V CMOS technology.