Abstract: Power quality in terms of power factor, THD and precisely regulated output voltage are the major key factors for efficient operation of power electronic converters. This paper presents an easy and effective active wave shaping control scheme for the pulsed input current drawn by the uncontrolled diode bridge rectifier thereby achieving power factor nearer to unity and also satisfying the THD specifications. It also regulates the output DC-bus voltage. CCM boost power factor correction with constant frequency operation features smaller inductor current ripple resulting in low RMS currents on inductor and switch thus leading to low electromagnetic interference. The objective of this work is to develop an active PFC control circuit using CCM boost converter implementing variable duty cycle control. The proposed scheme eliminates inductor current sensing requirements yet offering good performance and satisfactory results for maintaining the power quality. Simulation results have been presented which covers load changes also.
Abstract: This work evaluates the ability of OBT for detecting parametric faults in continuous-time filters. To this end, we adopt two filters with quite different topologies as cases of study and a previously reported statistical fault model. In addition, we explore the behavior of the test schemes when a particular test condition is changed. The new data reported here, obtained from a fault simulation process, reveal a lower performance of OBT not observed in previous work using single-deviation faults, even under the change in the test condition.
Abstract: Events discrimination and decision maker in sport field are the subject of many interesting studies in computer vision and artificial intelligence. A large volume of research has been conducted for automatic semantic event detection and summarization of sports videos. Indeed the results of these researches have a very significant contribution, as well to television broadcasts as to the football teams, since the result of sporting event can be reflected on the economic field. In this paper, we propose a novel fuzzy sequential technique which lead to discriminate events and specify the technico-tactics on going the game, nor the fuzzy system or the sequential one, may be able to respond to the asked question, in fact fuzzy process is not sufficient, it does not respect the chronological order according the time of various events, similarly the sequential process needs flexibility about the parameters used in this study, it may affect a membership degree of each parameter on the one hand and respect the sequencing of events for each frame on the other hand. Indeed this technique describes special events such as dribbling, headings, short sprints, rapid acceleration or deceleration, turning, jumping, kicking, ball occupation, and tackling according velocity vectors of the two players and the ball direction.
Abstract: Using an enzyme of known specificity the hydrolysis of protein was carried out in a controlled manner. The aim was to obtain oligopeptides being the so-called active peptides or their direct precursors. An original way of expression of the protein hydrolysis kinetics was introduced. Peptide bonds contained in the protein were recognized as a diverse-quality substrate for hydrolysis by the applied protease. This assumption was positively verified taking as an example the hydrolysis of albumin by thermolysin. Peptide linkages for this system should be divided into at least four groups. One of them is a group of bonds non-hydrolyzable by this enzyme. These that are broken are hydrolyzed at a rate that differs even by tens of thousands of times. Designated kinetic constants were k'F = 10991.4 L/g.h, k'M = 14.83L/g.h, k'S about 10-1 L/g.h for fast, medium and slow bonds, respectively. Moreover, a procedure for unfolding of the protein, conducive to the improved susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis (approximately three-fold increase in the rate) was proposed.
Abstract: In recent years, several smart card solutions for transportation services of cities with different technical infrastructures and business models has emerged considerably, which triggers new business and technical opportunities. In order to create a unique system, we present a novel, promising system called Multifunctional City Smart Card System to be used in all cities that provides transportation and loyalty services based on the MasterCard M/Chip Advance standards. The proposed system provides a unique solution for transportation services of large cities over the world, aiming to answer all transportation needs of citizens. In this paper, development of the Multifunctional City Smart Card system and system requirements are briefly described. Moreover, performance analysis results of M/Chip Advance Compatible Validators which is the system's most important component are presented.
Abstract: This study presents an Expert System specially designed to be used with Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs) for the solution of the portfolio selection problem. The validation of the proposed hybrid System is done by using data sets from Hang Seng 31 in Hong Kong, DAX 100 in Germany and FTSE 100 in UK. The performance of the proposed system is assessed in comparison with the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGAII). The evaluation of the performance is based on different performance metrics that evaluate both the proximity of the solutions to the Pareto front and their dispersion on it. The results show that the proposed hybrid system is efficient for the solution of this kind of problems.
Abstract: The development of an low cost acquisition system of S-EMG signals which are reliable, comfortable for the user and with high mobility shows to be a relevant proposition in modern biomedical engineering scenario. In the study, the sampling capacity of the Arduino microcontroller Atmel Atmega328 with an A / D converter with 10-bit resolution and its reconstructing capability of a signal of surface electromyography is analyzed. An electronic circuit to capture the signal through two differential channels was designed, signals from Biceps Brachialis of a healthy man of 21 years was acquired to test the system prototype. ARV, MDF, MNF and RMS estimators were used to compare de acquired signals with physiological values. The Arduino was configured with a sampling frequency of 1.5kHz for each channel, and the tests with the circuit designed offered a SNR of 20.57dB.
Abstract: To relieve the burden of reasoning on a point to point basis, in many domains there is a need to reduce large and noisy data sets into trends for qualitative reasoning. In this paper we propose and describe a new architectural design pattern called REDUCER for reducing large and noisy data sets that can be tailored for particular situations. REDUCER consists of 2 consecutive processes: Filter which takes the original data and removes outliers, inconsistencies or noise; and Compression which takes the filtered data and derives trends in the data. In this seminal article we also show how REDUCER has successfully been applied to 3 different case studies.
Abstract: Vacant City of Cape Town-owned land lying unutilized and -productive could be developed for land uses such as urban agriculture that may improve the livelihoods of low income families. The new City of Cape Town zoning scheme includes an Urban Agriculture zoning for the first time. Unstructured qualitative interviews among town planners revealed their optimism about this inclusion as it will provide low-income residents with opportunities to generate an income. An existing farming community at Philippi, located within the municipal boundary of the city, was approached and empirical data obtained through questionnaires provided proof that urban agriculture could be viable in a coastal metropolitan city such as Cape Town even if farmers only produce for their own households. The lease method proposed for urban agriculture is a usufruct agreement conferring the right to another party, other than the legal owner, to enjoy the use and advantages of the property.
Abstract: An effort for the detection of damages in the
reinforcement bars of reinforced concrete members using PZTs is
presented. The damage can be the result of excessive elongation of
the steel bar due to steel yielding or due to local steel corrosion. In
both cases the damage is simulated by considering reduced diameter
of the rebar along the damaged part of its length. An integration
approach based on both electromechanical admittance methodology
and guided wave propagation technique is used to evaluate the
artificial damage on the examined longitudinal steel bar. Two
actuator PZTs and a sensor PZT are considered to be bonded on the
examined steel bar. The admittance of the Sensor PZT is calculated
using COMSOL 3.4a. Fast Furrier Transformation for a better
evaluation of the results is employed. An effort for the quantification
of the damage detection using the root mean square deviation
(RMSD) between the healthy condition and damage state of the
sensor PZT is attempted. The numerical value of the RSMD yields a
level for the difference between the healthy and the damaged
admittance computation indicating this way the presence of damage
in the structure. Experimental measurements are also presented.
Abstract: Determination of optimal parameters of a passive
control system device is the primary objective of this study.
Expanding upon the use of control devices in wind and earthquake
hazard reduction has led to development of various control systems.
The advantage of non-linearity characteristics in a passive control
device and the optimal control method using LQR algorithm are
explained in this study. Finally, this paper introduces a simple
approach to determine optimum parameters of a nonlinear viscous
damper for vibration control of structures. A MATLAB program is
used to produce the dynamic motion of the structure considering the
stiffness matrix of the SDOF frame and the non-linear damping
effect. This study concluded that the proposed system (variable
damping system) has better performance in system response control
than a linear damping system. Also, according to the energy
dissipation graph, the total energy loss is greater in non-linear
damping system than other systems.
Abstract: In this work, the main problem considered is the
detection and the isolation of the actuator fault. A new formulation of
the linear system is generated to obtain the conditions of the actuator
fault diagnosis. The proposed method is based on the representation
of the actuator as a subsystem connected with the process system in
cascade manner. The designed formulation is generated to obtain the
conditions of the actuator fault detection and isolation. Detectability
conditions are expressed in terms of the invertibility notions. An
example and a comparative analysis with the classic formulation
illustrate the performances of such approach for simple actuator fault
diagnosis by using the linear model of nuclear reactor.
Abstract: As internet continues to expand its usage with an
enormous number of applications, cyber-threats have significantly
increased accordingly. Thus, accurate detection of malicious traffic in
a timely manner is a critical concern in today’s Internet for security.
One approach for intrusion detection is to use Machine Learning (ML)
techniques. Several methods based on ML algorithms have been
introduced over the past years, but they are largely limited in terms of
detection accuracy and/or time and space complexity to run. In this
work, we present a novel method for intrusion detection that
incorporates a set of supervised learning algorithms. The proposed
technique provides high accuracy and outperforms existing techniques
that simply utilizes a single learning method. In addition, our
technique relies on partial flow information (rather than full
information) for detection, and thus, it is light-weight and desirable for
online operations with the property of early identification. With the
mid-Atlantic CCDC intrusion dataset publicly available, we show that
our proposed technique yields a high degree of detection rate over 99%
with a very low false alarm rate (0.4%).
Abstract: This paper presents the results of an experimental
study on the effects of elevated temperature on compressive and
flexural strength of Normal Strength Concrete (NSC), High Strength
Concrete (HSC) and High Performance Concrete (HPC). In addition,
the specimen mass and volume were measured before and after
heating in order to determine the loss of mass and volume during the
test. In terms of non-destructive measurement, ultrasonic pulse
velocity test was proposed as a promising initial inspection method
for fire damaged concrete structure. 100 Cube specimens for three
grades of concrete were prepared and heated at a rate of 3°C/min up
to different temperatures (150, 250, 400, 600, and 900°C). The results
show a loss of compressive and flexural strength for all the concretes
heated to temperature exceeding 400°C. The results also revealed that
mass and density of the specimen significantly reduced with an
increase in temperature.
Abstract: The paper presents an analysis of the innovation performance of small and medium-sized furniture enterprises in Bulgaria, accounting for over 97% of the companies in the sector. It contains advanced features of innovation in enterprises, specific features of the furniture industry in Bulgaria and analysis of the results of studies on the topic. The results from studies of three successive periods - 2006-2008; 2008-2010; 2010-2012, during which were studied 594 small and medium-sized furniture enterprises. There are commonly used in the EU definitions and indicators (European Commission, OECD, Oslo Manual), which allows for the comparability of results.
Abstract: The pipe taper thread measurement and uncertainty
normally used the four-wire probe according to the JIS B 0262.
Besides, according to the EA-10/10 standard, the pipe thread could be
measured using the three-wire probe. This research proposed to use
the three-wire probe measuring the pitch diameter of the pipe taper
thread. The measuring accessory component was designed and made,
then, assembled to one side of the ULM 828 CiM machine.
Therefore, this machine could be used to measure and calibrate both
the pipe thread and the pipe taper thread. The equations and the
expanded uncertainty for pitch diameter measurement were
formulated. After the experiment, the results showed that the pipe
taper thread had the pitch diameter equal to 19.165mm and the
expanded uncertainty equal to 1.88µm. Then, the experiment results
were compared to the results from the National Institute of Metrology
Thailand. The equivalence ratio from the comparison showed that
both results were related. Thus, the proposed method of using the
three-wire probe measured the pitch diameter of the pipe taper thread
was acceptable.
Abstract: This paper proposes a novel e-learning model that is
based on a dynamic formative evaluation. On evaluating the existing
format of e-learning, conditions regarding repetitive learning to
achieve mastery, causes issues for learners to lose tension and become
neglectful of learning. The dynamic formative evaluation proposed is
able to supplement limitation of the existing approaches. Since a
repetitive learning method does not provide a perfect feedback, this
paper puts an emphasis on the dynamic formative evaluation that is
able to maximize learning achievement. Through the dynamic
formative evaluation, the instructor is able to refer to the evaluation
result when making an estimation about the learner. To show the flow
chart of learning, based on the dynamic formative evaluation, the
model proves its effectiveness and validity.
Abstract: Several meteorological parameters were used for the
prediction of monthly average daily global solar radiation on
horizontal using recurrent neural networks (RNNs). Climatological
data and measures, mainly air temperature, humidity, sunshine
duration, and wind speed between 1995 and 2007 were used to design
and validate a feed forward and recurrent neural network based
prediction systems. In this paper we present our reference system
based on a feed-forward multilayer perceptron (MLP) as well as the
proposed approach based on an RNN model. The obtained results
were promising and comparable to those obtained by other existing
empirical and neural models. The experimental results showed the
advantage of RNNs over simple MLPs when we deal with time series
solar radiation predictions based on daily climatological data.
Abstract: Industries using conventional fossil fuels have an
interest in better understanding the mechanism of particulate
formation during combustion since such is responsible for emission
of undesired inorganic elements that directly impact the atmospheric
pollution level. Fine and ultrafine particulates have tendency to
escape the flue gas cleaning devices to the atmosphere. They also
preferentially collect on surfaces in power systems resulting in
ascending in corrosion inclination, descending in the heat transfer
thermal unit, and severe impact on human health. This adverseness
manifests particularly in the regions of world where coal is the
dominated source of energy for consumption.
This study highlights the behavior of calcium transformation as
mineral grains verses organically associated inorganic components
during pulverized coal combustion. The influence of existing type of
calcium on the coarse, fine and ultrafine mode formation mechanisms
is also presented. The impact of two sub-bituminous coals on particle
size and calcium composition evolution during combustion is to be
assessed. Three mixed blends named Blends 1, 2, and 3 are selected
according to the ration of coal A to coal B by weight. Calcium
percentage in original coal increases as going from Blend 1 to 3.
A mathematical model and a new approach of describing
constituent distribution are proposed. Analysis of experiments of
calcium distribution in ash is also modeled using Poisson distribution.
A novel parameter, called elemental index λ, is introduced as a
measuring factor of element distribution.
Results show that calcium in ash that originally in coal as mineral
grains has index of 17, whereas organically associated calcium
transformed to fly ash shown to be best described when elemental
index λ is 7.
As an alkaline-earth element, calcium is considered the
fundamental element responsible for boiler deficiency since it is the
major player in the mechanism of ash slagging process. The
mechanism of particle size distribution and mineral species of ash
particles are presented using CCSEM and size-segregated ash
characteristics. Conclusions are drawn from the analysis of
pulverized coal ash generated from a utility-scale boiler.
Abstract: In today’s business environment, companies should
make strategic decisions to gain sustainable competitive advantage.
Order selection is a crucial issue among these decisions especially for
steel production industry. When the companies allocate a high
proportion of their design and production capacities to their ongoing
projects, determining which customer order should be chosen among
the potential orders without exceeding the remaining capacity is the
major critical problem. In this study, it is aimed to identify and
prioritize the evaluation factors for the customer order selection
problem. Conjoint Analysis is used to examine the importance level
of each factor which is determined as the potential profit rate per unit
of time, the compatibility of potential order with available capacity,
the level of potential future order with higher profit, customer credit
of future business opportunity, and the negotiability level of
production schedule for the order.