Abstract: The objective of this paper is to analyze the role played by the institute of the public hearings in the Brazilian Supreme Court. The public hearings are regulated since 1999 by the Brazilian Laws nº 9.868, nº 9.882 and by the Intern Regiment of the Brazilian Supreme Court. According to this legislation, the public hearings are supposed to be called when a matter of circumstance of fact must be clarified, what can be done through the hearing of the testimonies of persons with expertise and authority in the theme related to the cause. This work aims to investigate what is the role played by the public hearings and by the experts in the Brazilian Supreme Court. The hypothesis of this research is that: (I) The public hearings in the Brazilian Supreme Court are used to uphold a rhetoric of a democratic legitimacy of the Court`s decisions; (II) The Legislative intentions have been distorted. To test this hypothesis, the adopted methodology involves an empirical study of the Brazilian jurisprudence. As a conclusion, it follows that the public hearings convened by the Brazilian Supreme Court do not correspond, in practice, to the role assigned to them by the Congress since they do not serve properly to epistemic interests. The public hearings not only do not legitimate democratically the decisions, but also, do not properly clarify technical issues.
Abstract: This paper presents a grid synchronization technique based on adaptive notch filter for SPV (Solar Photovoltaic) system along with MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) techniques. An efficient grid synchronization technique offers proficient detection of various components of grid signal like phase and frequency. It also acts as a barrier for harmonics and other disturbances in grid signal. A reference phase signal synchronized with the grid voltage is provided by the grid synchronization technique to standardize the system with grid codes and power quality standards. Hence, grid synchronization unit plays important role for grid connected SPV systems. As the output of the PV array is fluctuating in nature with the meteorological parameters like irradiance, temperature, wind etc. In order to maintain a constant DC voltage at VSC (Voltage Source Converter) input, MPPT control is required to track the maximum power point from PV array. In this work, a variable step size P & O (Perturb and Observe) MPPT technique with DC/DC boost converter has been used at first stage of the system. This algorithm divides the dPpv/dVpv curve of PV panel into three separate zones i.e. zone 0, zone 1 and zone 2. A fine value of tracking step size is used in zone 0 while zone 1 and zone 2 requires a large value of step size in order to obtain a high tracking speed. Further, adaptive notch filter based control technique is proposed for VSC in PV generation system. Adaptive notch filter (ANF) approach is used to synchronize the interfaced PV system with grid to maintain the amplitude, phase and frequency parameters as well as power quality improvement. This technique offers the compensation of harmonics current and reactive power with both linear and nonlinear loads. To maintain constant DC link voltage a PI controller is also implemented and presented in this paper. The complete system has been designed, developed and simulated using SimPower System and Simulink toolbox of MATLAB. The performance analysis of three phase grid connected solar photovoltaic system has been carried out on the basis of various parameters like PV output power, PV voltage, PV current, DC link voltage, PCC (Point of Common Coupling) voltage, grid voltage, grid current, voltage source converter current, power supplied by the voltage source converter etc. The results obtained from the proposed system are found satisfactory.
Abstract: We introduce a new model called the Marshall-Olkin Rayleigh distribution which extends the Rayleigh distribution using Marshall-Olkin transformation and has increasing and decreasing shapes for the hazard rate function. Various structural properties of the new distribution are derived including explicit expressions for the moments, generating and quantile function, some entropy measures, and order statistics are presented. The model parameters are estimated by the method of maximum likelihood and the observed information matrix is determined. The potentiality of the new model is illustrated by means of a simulation study.
Abstract: In this study, we demonstrate a high-resolution
refractive index sensor based on a Magnetic Photonic Crystal (MPC)
composed of a triangular lattice array of air holes embedded in Si
matrix. A microcavity is created by changing the radius of an air hole
in the middle of the photonic crystal. The cavity filled with gyrotropic
materials can serve as a refractive index sensor. The shift of the
resonant frequency of the sensor is obtained numerically using finite
difference time domain method under different ambient conditions
having refractive index from n = 1.0 to n = 1.1. The numerical results
show that a tiny change in refractive index of Δn = 0.0001 is
distinguishable. In addition, the spectral response of the MPC sensor is
studied while an external magnetic field is present. The results show
that the MPC sensor exhibits a dramatic improvement in resolution.
Abstract: A teeming set of doctors that graduated from various
universities within and outside Nigeria with the hope of practicing in
the country, has their hope shattered because of poor financing, lack
of medical equipments and a very weak healthcare systems. Such
hydra headed challenges, allows room for quackery which
increasingly contributes to the cause of mortality in Nigeria. With a
view of reversing the challenges of healthcare delivery and financing
in Nigeria, African Health Market for Equity (AHME), a project
funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation [With contribution
from Department For International Development (DFID)] and
currently implemented in three African Countries (Nigeria, Kenya
and Ghana) over a Five (5) year period supports the healthcare sector
via Medical credit fund (MCF). The study examines the impact of
credit policy and medical credit funding on Nigerian health market.
Ordinary least square analysis, correlation and granger causality tests
were employed to measure the extent to which the Nigerian
healthcare market has been influenced. Medical credit fund
significantly and positively influenced average monthly turnover of
private healthcare providers and Commercial bank’s lending rate had
a weak relationship with access to credit/approved loans (13.46%).
The programme has so far made 13.91% progress, which is very
poor, considering the minimum targeted private health care providers
(437.6) and expected number of loan approvals (180.4) for the two
years. Medical credit policy in Nigeria should be revised to include
private healthcare providers in rural area for more positive impact
and increased returns. Good brand advert and sensitization of the
programme to stakeholders and health pressure group, and an
extension of the programme beyond five years is necessary to better
address the issues raised in the study.
Abstract: This study was undertaken at four different sites
(north polluted, south polluted, south healthy and north healthy) in
Tehran, in order to examine whether there was a relationship between
publicly available air quality data and the public’s perception of air
quality and to suggest some guidelines for reducing air pollution. A
total of 200 people were accidentally filled out the research
questionnaires at mentioned sites and air quality data were obtained
simultaneously from the Air Quality Control Department. Data was
analyzed in Excel and SPSS software’s. Clean air and job security
were of great importance to people comparing to other pleasant
aspect of life. Also air pollution and serious diseases were the most
important of people concerns. Street monitors and news paper
services on air quality were little used by the public as a means of
obtaining information on air pollution. Using public transportation
and avoiding inevitable journeys are the most important ways for
reducing air pollution. The results reveal that the public’s perception
of air quality is not a reliable indicator of the actual levels of air
pollution.
Abstract: A repairable mechanical system (as agricultural
tractor) is subject to deterioration or repeated failure and needs a
repair shops and also operator’s capability for the repair and
maintenance operations. Data are based on field visits and interviews
with 48MF 285 tractor operators from 14 villages collected in north
of Khouzestan province. The results showed that most operators were
lack the technical skill to service and repair tractors due to
insufficient training, specific education and work experience.
Inadequate repair and maintenance facilities, such as workshops,
mechanics and spare parts depots cause delays in repair work in the
survey areas. Farmers do not keep accurate service records and most
of them disregard proper maintenance and service of their tractors,
such as changing engine oil without following the manufacturer’s
recommendations. Since, Repair and maintenance facilities should be
established in village areas to guarantee timely repair in case of
breakdowns and to make spare parts available at low price. The
operators should keep service records accurately and adhere to
maintenance and service schedules according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. They should also be encouraged to do the service and
maintain their tractors properly.
Abstract: Second generation military Filipino Amerasians
comprise a formidable contemporary segment of the estimated
250,000-plus biracial Amerasians in the Philippines today. Overall,
they are a stigmatized and socioeconomically marginalized diaspora;
historically, they were abandoned or estranged by U.S. military
personnel fathers assigned during the century-long Colonial, Post-
World War II and Cold War Era of permanent military basing (1898-
1992). Indeed, U.S. military personnel are assigned in smaller
numbers in the Philippines today. This inquiry is an outgrowth of two
recent small sample studies. The first surfaced the impact of the U.S.
military prostitution system on formation of the ‘Derivative
Amerasian Family Construct’ on first generation Amerasians; a
second, qualitative case study suggested the continued effect of the
prostitution systems' destructive impetuous on second generation
Amerasians. The intent of this current qualitative, multiple-case study
was to actively seek out second generation sex industry toilers. The
purpose was to focus further on this human phenomenon in the postbasing
and post-military prostitution system eras. As background, the
former military prostitution apparatus has transformed into a modern
dynamic of rampant sex tourism and prostitution nationwide. This is
characterized by hotel and resorts offering unrestricted carnal access,
urban and provincial brothels (casas), discos, bars and pickup clubs,
massage parlors, local barrio karaoke bars and street prostitution. A
small case study sample (N = 4) of female and male second
generation Amerasians were selected. Sample formation employed a
non-probability ‘snowball’ technique drawing respondents from the
notorious Angeles, Metro Manila, Olongapo City ‘AMO Amerasian
Triangle’ where most former U.S. military installations were sited
and modern sex tourism thrives. A six-month study and analysis of
in-depth interviews of female and male sex laborers, their families
and peers revealed a litany of disturbing, and troublesome
experiences. Results showed profiles of debilitating human poverty,
history of family disorganization, stigmatization, social
marginalization and the ghost of the military prostitution system and
its harmful legacy on Amerasian family units. Emerging were testimonials of wayward young people ensnared in a maelstrom of
deep economic deprivation, familial dysfunction, psychological
desperation and societal indifference. The paper recommends that
more study is needed and implications of unstudied psychosocial and
socioeconomic experiences of distressed younger generations of
military Amerasians require specific research. Heretofore apathetic or
disengaged U.S. institutions need to confront the issue and formulate
activist and solution-oriented social welfare, human services and
immigration easement policies and alternatives. These institutions
specifically include academic and social science research agencies,
corporate foundations, the U.S. Congress, and Departments of State,
Defense and Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security
(i.e. Citizen and Immigration Services) It is them who continue to
endorse a laissez-faire policy of non-involvement over the entire
Filipino Amerasian question. Such apathy, the paper concludes,
relegates this consequential but neglected blood progeny to the status
of humiliating destitution and exploitation. Amerasians; thus, remain
entrapped in their former colonial, and neo-colonial habitat.
Ironically, they are unwitting victims of a U.S. American homeland
that fancies itself geo-politically as a strong and strategic military
treaty ally of the Philippines in the Western Pacific.
Abstract: Multiphase Induction Machine (IM) is normally
controlled using rotor field oriented vector control. Under phase(s)
loss, the machine currents can be optimally controlled to satisfy
certain optimization criteria. In this paper we discuss the performance
of double manifold sliding mode observer (DM-SMO) in Sensorless
control of multiphase induction machine under unsymmetrical
condition (one phase loss). This observer is developed using the IM
model in the stationary reference frame. DM-SMO is constructed by
adding extra feedback term to conventional single mode sliding mode
observer (SM-SMO) which proposed in many literature. This leads to
a fully convergent observer that also yields an accurate estimate of
the speed and stator currents. It will be shown by the simulation
results that the estimated speed and currents by the method are very
well and error between real and estimated quantities is negligible.
Also parameter sensitivity analysis shows that this method is rather
robust against parameter variation.
Abstract: The study focused on the analysis of the Adjusted
Rorschach Comprehensive System’s responses. The objective of this
study is to analyse the participants’ response rate of the Adjusted
Rorschach Comprehensive System with regards to critical
psychology approach. The use of critical psychology theory in this
study was crucial because it responds to the current inadequate
western theory or practice in the field of psychology. The study
adopted a qualitative approach and a case study design. The study
was grounded on interpretivist paradigm. The sample size comprised
six learners (three boys and three girls, aged of 14 years) from
historically disadvantaged school in the Western Cape, South Africa.
The Adjusted Rorschach Comprehensive System (ARCS)
administration procedure, biographical information, semi-structured
interviews, and observation were used to collect data. Data was
analysed using thematic framework. The study found out that, factors
that increased the response rates during the administration of ARCS
were, language, seating arrangement, drawing, viewing, and
describing. The study recommended that, psychological test
designers take into consideration the philosophy or worldviews of the
local people for whom the test is designed to minimize low response
rates.
Abstract: This paper explores and provides substantiated
evidence on the usage patterns of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) by female users at Vhembe District in Limpopo-
Province, South Africa. The study presents a comprehensive picture
on the usage of ICTs from female users’ perspective. The
significance of this study stems from the need to assess the role,
relevance and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones,
computers, laptops, and iPods, the internet and social networking
sites among females following the developments of new media
technologies in society. The objective of the study is to investigate
the usability and accessibility of ICTs to empower female users in
South Africa. The study used quantitative and qualitative research
methods to determine the major ideas, perceptions and usage patterns
of ICTs by users. Data collection involved the use of structured selfadministered
questionnaire from two groups of respondents who
participated in this study. Thus, (n=50) female students at the
University of Venda provided their ideas and perceptions about the
usefulness and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones, the
Internet and computers at the university level, whereas, the second
group were (n=50) learners from Makhado Comprehensive School
who provided their perceptions and ideas about the use of ICTs at the
high school level. The researcher also noted that the findings of the
study were useful as a guideline and model for ICT intervention that
could work as an empowerment to women in South Africa. It was
observed that the central purpose of ICTs among female users was to
search for information regarding assignment writing, conducting
research, dating, exchanging ideas and networking with friends and
relatives. This was demonstrated by a high number of females who
used ICTs for e-learning (62%) and social purposes (85%).
Therefore, the study revealed that most females used ICTs for social
purposes and accessing the internet rather than for entertainment, a
gesture that provides an opportune space to empower rural women in
South Africa.
Abstract: To decrease the grating scale thermal expansion error,
a novel method which based on multiple temperature detection is
proposed. Several temperature sensors are installed on the grating
scale and the temperatures of these sensors are recorded. The
temperatures of every point on the grating scale are calculated by
interpolating between adjacent sensors. According to the thermal
expansion principle, the grating scale thermal expansion error model
can be established by doing the integral for the variations of position
and temperature. A novel compensation method is proposed in this
paper. By applying the established error model, the grating scale
thermal expansion error is decreased by 90% compared with no
compensation. The residual positioning error of the grating scale is
less than 15μm/10m and the accuracy of the machine tool is
significant improved.
Abstract: Salinity is one of the major factors limiting crop
production in an arid environment. Despite its global importance
soybean production suffer the problems of salinity stress causing
damages at plant development. So it is implacable to either search for
salinity enhancement of soybean plants. Therefore, in the current
study we try to clarify the mechanism that might be involved in the
ameliorating effects of osmo-protectants such as proline and glycine
betaine as well as, compost application on soybean plants grown
under salinity stress. The experiment was conducted under
greenhouse conditions at the Graduate School of Biosphere Science
Laboratory of Hiroshima University, Japan in 2011. The experiment
was designed as a spilt-split plot based on randomized complete
block design with four replications. The treatments could be
summarized as follows; (i) salinity concentrations (0 and 15 mM), (ii)
compost treatments (0 and 24 t ha-1) and (iii) the exogenous, proline
and glycine betaine concentrations (0 mM and 25 mM) for each.
Results indicated that salinity stress induced reduction in growth and
physiological aspects (dry weight per plant, chlorophyll content, N
and K+ content) of soybean plant compared with those of the
unstressed plants. On the other hand, salinity stress led to increases in
the electrolyte leakage ratio, Na and proline contents. Special
attention was paid to, the tolerance against salt stress was observed,
the improvement of salt tolerance resulted from proline, glycine
betaine and compost were accompanied with improved K+, and
proline accumulation. While, significantly decreased electrolyte
leakage ratio and Na+ content. These results clearly demonstrate that
harmful effect of salinity could reduce on growth aspects of soybean.
Consequently, exogenous osmoprotectants combine with compost
will effectively solve seasonal salinity stress problem and are a good
strategy to increase salinity resistance of soybean in the drylands.
Abstract: Malaysia’s green building development is gaining
momentum and green buildings have become a key focus area,
especially within the commercial sector with the encouragement of
government legislation and policy. Due to the emerging awareness
among the market players’ views of the benefits associated with the
ownership of green buildings in Malaysia, there is a need for valuers
to incorporate consideration of sustainability into their assessments of
property market value to ensure the green buildings continue to
increase in the market. This paper analyses the valuers’ current
perception on the valuation practices with regard to the green issues
in Malaysia. The study was based on a survey of registered real estate
valuers and the experts whose work related to valuation in the Klang
Valley area to rate their view regarding the perception on valuation of
green building. The findings present evidence that even though
Malaysian valuers have limited knowledge of green buildings, they
recognise the importance of incorporating the green features in the
valuation process. The inclusion of incorporating the green features
in valuations in practice was hindered by the inadequacy of sufficient
transaction data in the market. Furthermore, valuers experienced
difficulty in identifying what are the various input parameters of
green building and how to adjust it in order to reflect the benefit of
sustainability features correctly in the valuation process. This paper
focuses on the present challenges confronted by Malaysian valuers
with regards to incorporating the green features in their valuation.
Abstract: A new approach has been developed to estimate the
load share and distribution of worm gear drives, and to calculate the
instantaneous tooth meshing stiffness. In the approach, the worm gear
drive was modelled as a series of spur gear slices, and each slice was
analyzed separately using the well-established formulae of spur gear
loading and stresses. By combining the results obtained for all slices,
the entire envolute worm gear set loading and stressing was obtained. The geometric modelling method presented allows tooth elastic
deformation and tooth root stresses of worm gear drives under
different load conditions to be investigated. Based on the slicing
method introduced in this study, the instantaneous meshing stiffness
and load share are obtained. In comparison with existing methods,
this approach has both good analysis accuracy and less computing
time.
Abstract: This paper considers the design of Dual Proportional-
Integral (DPI) Load Frequency Control (LFC), using gravitational
search algorithm (GSA). The design is carried out for nonlinear
hydrothermal power system where generation rate constraint (GRC)
and governor dead band are considered. Furthermore, time delays
imposed by governor-turbine, thermodynamic process, and
communication channels are investigated. GSA is utilized to search
for optimal controller parameters by minimizing a time-domain based
objective function. GSA-based DPI has been compared to Ziegler-
Nichols based PI, and Genetic Algorithm (GA) based PI controllers
in order to demonstrate the superior efficiency of the proposed
design. Simulation results are carried for a wide range of operating
conditions and system parameters variations.
Abstract: Carefully scheduling the operations of pumps can be
resulted to significant energy savings. Schedules can be defined
either implicit, in terms of other elements of the network such as tank
levels, or explicit by specifying the time during which each pump is
on/off. In this study, two new explicit representations based on timecontrolled
triggers were analyzed, where the maximum number of
pump switches was established beforehand, and the schedule may
contain fewer switches than the maximum. The optimal operation of
pumping stations was determined using a Jumping Particle Swarm
Optimization (JPSO) algorithm to achieve the minimum energy cost.
The model integrates JPSO optimizer and EPANET hydraulic
network solver. The optimal pump operation schedule of VanZyl
water distribution system was determined using the proposed model
and compared with those from Genetic and Ant Colony algorithms.
The results indicate that the proposed model utilizing the JPSO
algorithm is a versatile management model for the operation of realworld
water distribution system.
Abstract: The moisture content of densified biomass is a
limiting parameter influencing the quality of this solid biofuel. It
influences its calorific value, density, mechanical strength and
dimensional stability as well as affecting its production process. This
paper deals with experimental research into the effect of moisture
content of the densified material on the final quality of biofuel in the
form of logs (briquettes or pellets). Experiments based on the singleaxis
densification of the spruce sawdust were carried out with a
hydraulic piston press (piston and die), where the densified logs were
produced at room temperature. The effect of moisture content on the
qualitative properties of the logs, including density, change of
moisture, expansion and physical changes, and compressive and
impact resistance were studied. The results show the moisture ranges
required for producing good-quality logs. The experiments were
evaluated and the moisture content of the tested material was
optimized to achieve the optimum value for the best quality of the
solid biofuel. The dense logs also have high-energy content per unit
volume. The research results could be used to develop and optimize
industrial technologies and machinery for biomass densification to
achieve high quality solid biofuel.
Abstract: Group decision making with multiple attribute has
attracted intensive concern in the decision analysis area. This paper
assumes that the contributions of all the decision makers (DMs) are not
equal to the decision process based on different knowledge and
experience in group setting. The aim of this paper is to develop a novel
approach to determine weights of DMs in the group decision making
problems. In this paper, the weights of DMs are determined in the
group decision environment via angle cosine and projection method.
First of all, the average decision of all individual decisions is defined
as the ideal decision. After that, we define the weight of each decision
maker (DM) by aggregating the angle cosine and projection between
individual decision and ideal decision with associated direction
indicator μ. By using the weights of DMs, all individual decisions are
aggregated into a collective decision. Further, the preference order of
alternatives is ranked in accordance with the overall row value of
collective decision. Finally, an example in a chemical company is
provided to illustrate the developed approach.
Abstract: Drought is one of the most serious problems posing a
grave threat to cereals production including maize. Maize
improvement in drought-stress tolerance poses a great challenge as
the global need for food and bio-energy increases. Thus, the current
study was planned to explore the variations and determine the
performance of target traits of maize hybrids at grain growth stage
under drought conditions during 2014 under Adana, Mediterranean
climate conditions, Turkey. Maize hybrids (Sancia, Indaco,
71May69, Aaccel, Calgary, 70May82, 72May80) were evaluated
under (irrigated and water stress). Results revealed that, grain yield
and yield traits had a negative effects because of water stress
conditions compared with the normal irrigation. As well as, based on
the result under normal irrigation, the maximum biological yield and
harvest index were recorded. According to the differences among
hybrids were found that, significant differences were observed among
hybrids with respect to yield and yield traits under current research. Based on the results, grain weight had more effect on grain yield
than grain number during grain filling growth stage under water
stress conditions. In this concern, according to low drought
susceptibility index (less grain yield losses), the hybrid (Indaco) was
more stable in grain number and grain weight. Consequently, it may
be concluded that this hybrid would be recommended for use in the
future breeding programs for production of drought tolerant hybrids.