Abstract: As wind, solar and other clean and green energy
sources gain popularity worldwide, engineers are seeking ways to
make renewable energy systems more affordable and to integrate
them with existing ac power grids. In the present paper an attempt
has been made for integrating the PV arrays to the smart nano grid
using an artificial intelligent (AI) based solar powered cascade multilevel
inverter. The AI based controller switching scheme has been
used for improving the power quality by reducing the Total Harmonic
Distortion (THD) of the multi-level inverter output voltage.
Abstract: In this paper, by exploiting a single semiconductor
optical amplifier-Mach Zehnder Interferometer (SOA-MZI), an
integratable all-optical flip-flop (AOFF) is proposed. It is composed
of a SOA-MZI with a bidirectional coupler at the output. Output
signals of both bar and crossbar of the SOA-MZI is fed back to SOAs
located in the arms of the Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI). The
injected photon-rates to the SOAs are modulated by feedback signals
in order to form optical flip-flop. According to numerical analysis,
Gaussian optical pulses with the energy of 15.2 fJ and 20 ps duration
with the full width at half-maximum criterion, can switch the states of
the SR-AOFF. Also simulation results show that the SR-AOFF has
the contrast ratio of 8.5 dB between two states with the transition
time of nearly 20 ps.
Abstract: Tourism and coastal lines are the business sectors
since centuries especially in the European Nations and Albania is one
such spots. However, in recent decades tourism is experienced as
vulnerability of the surrounding ecological conditions of air, soil,
water, land and the communities that are dependant and sharing the
ecosystem among flora and fauna. Experts opine that apart from the
maintenance of near-originality of ecological biodiversity the tourism
rather known as ecotourism an indigenous socio-cultural
maintenance of indigenous/traditional knowledge of the local people
must be well cared in order to sustain on sustainable grounds. As a
general tendency, growth of tourism has been affected by the deterioration in the economic conditions on one aspect and unsustainable ecological areas affected since human interventions
earlier to this has negative impact on futuristic tourist spots. However, tourism in Albania as of now is 11% of GDP and coastal regions accounting to 2-4%. An amicable Mediterranean
climate with 300 sunny days similar parameters of Greece and Spain
throws up sustainable ecotourism in future decades provided public services namely, transportation, road safety, lodging, food
availability, recreational regiments, banking accessibility are as per
the World Tourism Organizations- protocols. Thus as of Albanian
situation, classification of ecotourism activities to safe-guard the localities with its maintenance of ecological land, water and climate
has become a paramount importance with a wanting and satisfactory options through harnessing human energy for profit and fitness of
ecological flora and fauna. A check on anthropogenic wastes and
their safer utilizations inclusive of agricultural and industrial
operations in line with Lalzi Bay Coastal Line are of utmost importance for the reason that the Adriatic Sea Coast is the one long
stretch of Albanian Lifeline. The present work is based on the methodology of the sustainable management of the same issue.
Abstract: The quest of providing more secure identification
system has led to a rise in developing biometric systems. Dorsal
hand vein pattern is an emerging biometric which has attracted the
attention of many researchers, of late. Different approaches have
been used to extract the vein pattern and match them. In this work,
Principle Component Analysis (PCA) which is a method that has
been successfully applied on human faces and hand geometry is
applied on the dorsal hand vein pattern. PCA has been used to obtain
eigenveins which is a low dimensional representation of vein pattern
features. Low cost CCD cameras were used to obtain the vein
images. The extraction of the vein pattern was obtained by applying
morphology. We have applied noise reduction filters to enhance the
vein patterns. The system has been successfully tested on a database
of 200 images using a threshold value of 0.9. The results obtained are
encouraging.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a comprehensive
investigation of five blackouts that occurred on 28 August to 8
September 2011 due to bushing failures of the 132/33 kV, 125 MVA
transformers at JBB Ali Grid station. The investigation aims to
explore the root causes of the bushing failures and come up with
recommendations that help in rectifying the problem and avoiding the
reoccurrence of similar type of incidents. The incident reports about
the failed bushings and the SCADA reports at this grid station were
examined and analyzed. Moreover, comprehensive power quality
field measurements at ten 33/11 kV substations (S/Ss) in JBB Ali
area were conducted, and frequency scans were performed to verify
any harmonic resonance frequencies due to power factor correction
capacitors. Furthermore, the daily operations of the on-load tap
changers (OLTCs) of both the 125 MVA and 20 MVA transformers
at JBB Ali Grid station have been analyzed. The investigation
showed that the five bushing failures were due to a local problem, i.e.
internal degradation of the bushing insulation. This has been
confirmed by analyzing the time interval between successive OLTC
operations of the faulty grid transformers. It was also found that
monitoring the number of OLTC operations can help in predicting
bushing failure.
Abstract: The present work faces the problem of automatic enumeration and recognition of an unknown and time-varying number of environmental sound sources while using a single microphone. The assumption that is made is that the sound recorded is a realization of sound sources belonging to a group of audio classes which is known a-priori. We describe two variations of the same principle which is to calculate the distance between the current unknown audio frame and all possible combinations of the classes that are assumed to span the soundscene. We concentrate on categorizing environmental sound sources, such as birds, insects etc. in the task of monitoring the biodiversity of a specific habitat.
Abstract: Due to the emergence of “Humanized Healthcare"
introduced by Professor Dr. Prawase Wasi in 2003[1], the
development of this paradigm tends to be widely implemented. The
organizations included Healthcare Accreditation Institute (public
organization), National Health Foundation, Mahidol University in
cooperation with Thai Health Promotion Foundation, and National
Health Security Office (Thailand) have selected the hospitals or
infirmaries that are qualified for humanized healthcare since 2008-
2010 and 35 of them are chosen to be the outstandingly navigating
organizations for the development of humanized healthcare,
humanized healthcare award [2].
The research aims to study the current issue, characteristics and
patterns of hospital administration contributing to humanized
healthcare system in Thailand. The selected case studies are from
four hospitals including Dansai Crown Prince Hospital, Leoi;
Ubolrattana Hospital, Khon Kaen; Kapho Hospital, Pattani; and
Prathai Hospital, Nakhonrachasima. The methodology is in-depth
interviewing with 10 staffs working as hospital executive directors,
and representatives from leader groups including directors,
multidisciplinary hospital committees, personnel development
committees, physicians and nurses in each hospital. (Total=40) In
addition, focus group discussions between hospital staffs and general
people (including patients and their relatives, the community leader,
and other people) are held by means of setting 4 groups including 8
people within each group. (Total=128) The observation on the
working in each hospital is also implemented. The findings of the
study reveal that there are five important aspects found in each
hospital including (1) the quality improvement under the mental and
spiritual development policy from the chief executives and lead
teams, leaders as Role model and they have visionary leadership; (2)
the participation hospital administration system focusing on learning
process and stakeholder- needs, spiritual human resource
management and development; (3) the relationship among people
especially staffs, team work skills, mutual understanding, effective
communication and personal inner-development; (4) organization
culture relevant to the awareness of patients- rights as well as the
participation policy including spiritual growth achieving to the same
goals, sharing vision, developing public mind, and caring; and (5)
healing structures or environment providing warmth and convenience
for hospital staffs, patients and their relatives and visitors.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose the Modified Synchronous Detection (MSD) Method for determining the reference compensating currents of the shunt active power filter under non sinusoidal voltages conditions. For controlling the inverter switching we used the PI regulator. The numerical simulation results, using Power System Blockset Toolbox PSB of Matlab, from a complete structure, are presented and discussed.
Abstract: This paper presents an optimization technique to economic load dispatch (ELD) problems with considering the daily load patterns and generator constraints using a particle swarm optimization (PSO). The objective is to minimize the fuel cost. The optimization problem is subject to system constraints consisting of power balance and generation output of each units. The application of a constriction factor into PSO is a useful strategy to ensure convergence of the particle swarm algorithm. The proposed method is able to determine, the output power generation for all of the power generation units, so that the total constraint cost function is minimized. The performance of the developed methodology is demonstrated by case studies in test system of fifteen-generation units. The results show that the proposed algorithm scan give the minimum total cost of generation while satisfying all the constraints and benefiting greatly from saving in power loss reduction
Abstract: Serious games have proven to be a useful instrument
to engage learners and increase motivation. Nevertheless, a broadly
accepted, practical instructional design approach to serious games
does not exist. In this paper, we introduce the use of an instructional
design model that has not been applied to serious games yet, and has
some advantages compared to other design approaches. We present
the case of mechanics mechatronics education to illustrate the close
match with timing and role of knowledge and information that the
instructional design model prescribes and how this has been
translated to a rigidly structured game design. The structured
approach answers the learning needs of applicable knowledge within
the target group. It combines advantages of simulations with
strengths of entertainment games to foster learner-s motivation in the
best possible way. A prototype of the game will be evaluated along a
well-respected evaluation method within an advanced test setting
including test and control group.
Abstract: Bioprocesses are appreciated as difficult to control because their dynamic behavior is highly nonlinear and time varying, in particular, when they are operating in fed batch mode. The research objective of this study was to develop an appropriate control method for a complex bioprocess and to implement it on a laboratory plant. Hence, an intelligent control structure has been designed in order to produce biomass and to maximize the specific growth rate.
Abstract: A conjugate heat transfer for steady two-dimensional
mixed convection with magnetic hydrodynamic (MHD) flow of an
incompressible quiescent fluid over an unsteady thermal forming
stretching sheet has been studied. A parameter, M, which is used to
represent the dominance of the magnetic effect has been presented in
governing equations. The similar transformation and an implicit
finite-difference method have been used to analyze the present
problem. The numerical solutions of the flow velocity distributions,
temperature profiles, the wall unknown values of f''(0) and '(θ (0) for
calculating the heat transfer of the similar boundary-layer flow are
carried out as functions of the unsteadiness parameter (S), the Prandtl
number (Pr), the space-dependent parameter (A) and
temperature-dependent parameter (B) for heat source/sink and the
magnetic parameter (M). The effects of these parameters have also
discussed. At the results, it will produce greater heat transfer effect
with a larger Pr and M, S, A, B will reduce heat transfer effects. At
last, conjugate heat transfer for the free convection with a larger G has
a good heat transfer effect better than a smaller G=0.
Abstract: Speed sensorless systems are intensively studied during recent years; this is mainly due to their economical benefit and fragility of mechanical sensors and also the difficulty of installing this type of sensor in many applications. These systems suffer from instability problems and sensitivity to parameter mismatch at low speed operation. In this paper an analysis of adaptive observer stability with stator resistance estimation is given.
Abstract: In this paper, based on the coupled-mode and carrier rate equations, derivation of a dynamic model and numerically analysis of a MQW chirped DFB-SOA all-optical flip-flop is done precisely. We have analyzed the effects of strains of QW and MQW and cross phase modulation (XPM) on the dynamic response, and rise and fall times of the DFB-SOA all optical flip flop. We have shown that strained MQW active region in under an optimized condition into a DFB-SOA with chirped grating can improve the switching ON speed limitation in such a of the device, significantly while the fall time is increased. The values of the rise times for such an all optical flip-flop, are obtained in an optimized condition, areas tr=255ps.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a vertical nanowire thin film transistor with gate-all-around architecture, fabricated using CMOS compatible processes. A novel method of fabricating polysilicon vertical nanowires of diameter as small as 30 nm using wet-etch is presented. Both n-type and p-type vertical poly-silicon nanowire transistors exhibit superior electrical characteristics as compared to planar devices. On a poly-crystalline nanowire of 30 nm diameter, high Ion/Ioff ratio of 106, low drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) of 50 mV/V, and low sub-threshold slope SS~100mV/dec are demonstrated for a device with channel length of 100 nm.
Abstract: This paper proposes new algorithms for the computeraided
design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) of 3D woven multi-layer
textile structures. Existing commercial CAD/CAM systems are often
restricted to the design and manufacture of 2D weaves. Those
CAD/CAM systems that do support the design and manufacture of
3D multi-layer weaves are often limited to manual editing of design
paper grids on the computer display and weave retrieval from stored
archives. This complex design activity is time-consuming, tedious
and error-prone and requires considerable experience and skill of a
technical weaver. Recent research reported in the literature has
addressed some of the shortcomings of commercial 3D multi-layer
weave CAD/CAM systems. However, earlier research results have
shown the need for further work on weave specification, weave
generation, yarn path editing and layer binding. Analysis of 3D
multi-layer weaves in this research has led to the design and
development of efficient and robust algorithms for the CAD/CAM of
3D woven multi-layer textile structures. The resulting algorithmically
generated weave designs can be used as a basis for lifting plans that
can be loaded onto looms equipped with electronic shedding
mechanisms for the CAM of 3D woven multi-layer textile structures.
Abstract: A geothermal power plant multiple simulator for
operators training is presented. The simulator is designed to be
installed in a wireless local area network and has a capacity to train
one to six operators simultaneously, each one with an independent
simulation session. The sessions must be supervised only by one
instructor. The main parts of this multiple simulator are: instructor
and operator-s stations. On the instructor station, the instructor
controls the simulation sessions, establishes training exercises and
supervises each power plant operator in individual way. This station
is hosted in a Main Personal Computer (NS) and its main functions
are: to set initial conditions, snapshots, malfunctions or faults,
monitoring trends, and process and soft-panel diagrams. On the other
hand the operators carry out their actions over the power plant
simulated on the operator-s stations; each one is also hosted in a PC.
The main software of instructor and operator-s stations are executed
on the same NS and displayed in PCs through graphical Interactive
Process Diagrams (IDP). The geothermal multiple simulator has been
installed in the Geothermal Simulation Training Center (GSTC) of
the Comisi├│n Federal de Electricidad, (Federal Commission of
Electricity, CFE), Mexico, and is being utilized as a part of the
training courses for geothermal power plant operators.
Abstract: Proteins levels produced by bacteria may be increased
in stressful surroundings, such as in the presence of antibiotics. It
appears that many antimicrobial agents or antibiotics, when used at
low concentrations, have in common the ability to activate or repress
gene transcription, which is distinct from their inhibitory effect.
There have been comparatively few studies on the potential of
antibiotics or natural compounds in nature as a specific chemical
signal that can trigger a variety of biological functions. Therefore,
this study was focusing on the effect of essential oils from
Cymbopogon flexuosus and C. nardus in regulating proteins
production by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332. The Minimum
Inhibition Concentrations (MICs) of both essential oils on B. subtilis
were determined by using microdilution assay, resulting 0.2% and
1.56% for each C. flexuosus and C. nardus subsequently. The
bacteria were further exposed to each essential oils at concentration
of 0.01XMIC for 2 days. The proteins were then isolated and
analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Protein profile showed that a band
with approximate size of 250 kD was appeared for the treated
bacteria with essential oils. Thus, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332 in
stressful condition with the presence of essential oils at low
concentration could induce the protein production.
Abstract: The control of commutation of switched reluctance
(SR) motor has nominally depended on a physical position detector.
The physical rotor position sensor limits robustness and increases
size and inertia of the SR drive system. The paper describes a method
to overcome these limitations by using magnetization characteristics
of the motor to indicate rotor and stator teeth overlap status. The
method is using active current probing pulses of same magnitude that
is used to simulate flux linkage in the winding being probed. A
microprocessor is used for processing magnetization data to deduce
rotor-stator teeth overlap status and hence rotor position. However,
the back-of-core saturation and mutual coupling introduces overlap
detection errors, hence that of commutation control. This paper
presents the concept of the detection scheme and the effects of backof
core saturation.
Abstract: This study reports an empirical investigation of
fatigue crack initiation and propagation in 2024 T351 aluminium
alloy using constant amplitude loading. In initiation stage, local
strain approach at the notch was used and in stable propagation stage
NASGRO model was applied.
In this investigation, the flat plate of double through crack at hole
is used. Based on experimental results (AFGROW Database), effect
of stress ratio, R, is highlights on fatigue initiation life (FIL) and
fatigue crack growth rate (FCGR). The increasing of dimension of
hole characterizing the notch effect decrease the fatigue life.