Abstract: The balance between nitrogen loading and runoff in the
forested headwater streams of the Kanna River was estimated to
elucidate the current status of nitrogen saturation in a forested
watershed. NO3-N concentration in the study area was far higher than
the average value in Japan. Estimated nitrogen runoff accounted for
55–57% of nitrogen loading; suggesting that the forest-s nitrogen
retention capacity is most likely in decline. Since the 1970s, Japan-s
forestry industry has been declining due to the decrease in lumber
demand and increase in cheap imported materials. Thus, this decline
will contribute significantly to further reducing nitrogen saturation in
forest ecosystems.
Abstract: In this paper, multiple positive solutions for
semipositone discrete eigenvalue problems are obtained by
using a three critical points theorem for nondifferentiable
functional.
Abstract: This paper presents an assessment study conducted
among the distance learners in India. Open and distance learning
systems have traveled a long way since its inception and its journey
has witnessed the evolution and adoption of different generations of
technology. This study focuses on the distant learners in India.
Sampling for this study has been derived from the mass enrollment
from Tamil Nadu area, a southern state of India. Learners were
chosen from dual mode universities, private universities, Tamil Nadu
Open University and IGNOU. The main focus of the study is to
examine the coverage and appropriation of students support services
and learning aids. It explores two aspects: the facilities available and
the awareness and use of such services. It includes, self-learning
materials, face-to-face counseling, multimedia learning materials,
website, e-learning, radio and television services etc. While exploring
the student-s perspective on these learning aspects, it is important to
understand the perspectives of the teachers. Two different interests
are visible among the teachers. Majority of the teachers support faceto-
face counseling. However, the young teachers are in favour of
online learning and multimedia supports in teaching. Through the
awareness is somewhat high, the actual participation in online is very
low. This is due to the inadequate infrastructure as well as the
traditional attitudes of the teachers. Still the face-to-face sessions
remain popular than online.
Abstract: With the prevalence of computer and development of information technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have long used for a variety of applications in electrical engineering. GIS are designed to support the analysis, management, manipulation and mapping of spatial data. This paper presents several usages of GIS in power utilities such as automated route selection for the construction of new power lines which uses a dynamic programming model for route optimization, load forecasting and optimizing planning of substation-s location and capacity with comprehensive algorithm which involves an accurate small-area electric load forecasting procedure and simulates the different cost functions of substations.
Abstract: The contribution deals with current or potential approaches to the modeling and optimization of tactical activities. This issue takes on importance in recent times, particularly with the increasing trend of digitized battlefield, the development of C4ISR systems and intention to streamline the command and control process at the lowest levels of command. From fundamental and philosophically point of view, this new approaches seek to significantly upgrade and enhance the decision-making process of the tactical commanders.
Abstract: Environmental decision making, particularly about
hazardous waste management, is inherently exposed to a high
potential conflict, principally because of the trade-off between sociopolitical,
environmental, health and economic factors. The need to
plan complex contexts has led to an increasing request for decision
analytic techniques as support for the decision process. In this work,
alternative systems of asbestos-containing waste management
(ACW) in Puglia (Southern Italy) were explored by a multi-criteria
decision analysis. In particular, through Analytic Hierarchy Process
five alternatives management have been compared and ranked
according to their performance and efficiency, taking into account
environmental, health and socio-economic aspects. A separated
valuation has been performed for different temporal scale. For short
period results showed a narrow deviation between the disposal
alternatives “mono-material landfill in public quarry" and “dedicate
cells in existing landfill", with the best performance of the first one.
While for long period “treatment plant to eliminate hazard from
asbestos-containing waste" was prevalent, although high energy
demand required to achieve the change of crystalline structure. A
comparison with results from a participative approach in valuation
process might be considered as future development of method
application to ACW management.
Abstract: With the proliferation of Weblogs (blogs) use in
educational contexts, gaining a better understanding of why
students are willing to utilize blog systems has become an
important topic for practitioners and academics. While perceived
enjoyment has been found to have a significant influence on
behavioral intentions to use blogs or hedonic systems, few studies
have investigated the antecedents of perceived enjoyment in the
acceptance of blogging. The main purpose of the present study is to
explore the individual difference antecedents of perceived
enjoyment and examine how they influence behavioral intention to
blog through the mediation of perceived enjoyment. Based on the
previous literature, the Big Five personality traits (i.e.,
extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and
openness to experience), as well as computer self-efficacy and
personal innovation in information technology (PIIT), are
hypothesized as potential antecedents of perceived enjoyment in
the acceptance of blogging. Data collected from 358 respondents in
Taiwan are tested against the research model using the structural
equation modeling approach. The results indicate that extraversion,
agreeableness, conscientiousness, and PIIT have a significant
influence on perceived enjoyment, which in turn significantly
influences the behavioral intention to blog. These findings lead to
several important implications for future research.
Abstract: In this work, we try to find the best setting
of Computational Fluid Dynamic solver available for the problems in
the field of supersonic internal flows. We used the supersonic air-toair
ejector to represent the typical problem in focus. There are
multiple oblique shock waves, shear layers, boundary layers
and normal shock interacting in the supersonic ejector making this
device typical in field of supersonic inner flows. Modeling of shocks
in general is demanding on the physical model of fluid, because
ordinary conservation equation does not conform to real conditions in
the near-shock region as found in many works. From these reasons,
we decided to take special care about solver setting in this article by
means of experimental approach of color Schlieren pictures and
pneumatic measurement. Fast pressure transducers were used to
measure unsteady static pressure in regimes with normal shock in
mixing chamber. Physical behavior of ejector in several regimes is
discussed. Best choice of eddy-viscosity setting is discussed on the
theoretical base. The final verification of the k-ω SST is done on the
base of comparison between experiment and numerical results.
Abstract: Geosynthetics have proved to be suitable for
reinforced soil retaining walls. Based on the increasing uses of
geosynthetic reinforced soil systems in the regions, which bear
frequent earthquakes, the study of dynamic behavior of structures
seems necessary. Determining the reinforcement forces is; therefore,
one of the most important and main points of discussions in
designing retaining walls, by which we prevent from conservative
planning. Thus, this paper intended to investigate the effects of such
parameters as wall height, acceleration type, vertical spacing of
reinforcement, type of reinforcement and soil type on forces and
deformation through numerical modeling of the geosynthetic
reinforced soil retaining walls (GRSRW) under dynamic loading with
finite difference method by using FLAC. The findings indicate rather
positive results with each parameter.
Abstract: The work describes the use of a synthetic transmit
aperture (STA) with a single element transmitting and all elements
receiving in medical ultrasound imaging. STA technique is a novel
approach to today-s commercial systems, where an image is acquired
sequentially one image line at a time that puts a strict limit on the
frame rate and the amount of data needed for high image quality. The
STA imaging allows to acquire data simultaneously from all
directions over a number of emissions, and the full image can be
reconstructed.
In experiments a 32-element linear transducer array with 0.48 mm
inter-element spacing was used. Single element transmission aperture
was used to generate a spherical wave covering the full image region.
The 2D ultrasound images of wire phantom are presented obtained
using the STA and commercial ultrasound scanner Antares to
demonstrate the benefits of the SA imaging.
Abstract: One of the efficient factors in comprehensive
development of an area is to provide water sources and on the other
hand the appropriate management of them. Population growth and
nourishment security for such a population necessitate the
achievement of constant development besides the reforming of
traditional management in order to increase the profit of sources; In
this case, the constant exploitation of sources for the next generations
will be considered in this program. The achievement of this
development without the consideration and possibility of water
development will be too difficult. Zayanderood basin with 41500
areas in square kilometers contains 7 sub-basins and 20 units of
hydrologic. In this basin area, from the entire environment
descending, just a small part will enter into the river currents and the
rest will be out of efficient usage by various ways. The most
important surface current of this basin is Zayanderood River with
403 kilometers length which is originated from east slopes of Zagros
mount and after draining of this basin area it will enter into
Gaavkhooni pond. The existence of various sources and
consumptions of water in Zayanderood basin, water transfer of the
other basin areas into this basin, of course the contradiction between
the upper and lower beneficiaries, the existence of worthwhile
natural ecosystems such as Gaavkhooni swamp in this basin area and
finally, the drought condition and lack of water in this area all
necessitate the existence of comprehensive management of water
sources in this central basin area of Iran as this method is a kind of
management which considers the development and the management
of water sources as an equilibrant way to increase the economical
and social benefits. In this study, it is tried to survey the network of
surface water sources of basin in upper and lower sections; at the
most, according to the difficulties and deficiencies of an efficient
management of water sources in this basin area, besides the
difficulties of water draining and the destructive phenomenon of
flood-water, the appropriate guidelines according to the region
conditions are presented in order to prevent the deviation of water in
upper sections and development of regions in lower sections of
Zayanderood dam.
Abstract: The main objective of this work is to compare the
quality of service of the bus companies operating in the city of Rio
Branco, located in the state of Acre with the quality of service of the
bus companies operating in the city of Campos, situated in the state
of Rio de Janeiro, both cities in Brazil. This comparison, based on the
opinion of the bus users, will determine their degree of satisfaction
with the service available in both cities. The outcome of this
evaluation shows the users unhappy with the quality of the service
provided by the bus companies operating in both cities and the need
to identify alternative solutions that may minimize the consequences
caused by the main problems detected in this work. With these
alternatives available, the bus companies will be able to better
understand the needs of their customers in terms of manpower,
service cost, time schedule, etc.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the most satisfying and frustrating aspects of ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) teaching in Turkish schools. Another aim was to compare these aspects based-on ICT teachers- selfefficacy. Participants were 119 ICT teachers from different geographical areas of Turkey. Participants were asked to list salient satisfying and frustrating aspects of ICT teaching, and to fill out the Self-Efficacy Scale for ICT Teachers. Results showed that the high self-efficacy teachers listed more positive and negative aspects of ICT teaching then did the low self-efficacy teachers. The satisfying aspects of ICT teaching were the dynamic nature of ICT subject, higher student interest, having opportunity to help other subject teachers, and lecturing in well-equipped labs, whereas the most frequently cited frustrating aspects of ICT teaching were ICT-related extra works of schools and colleagues, shortages of hardware and technical problems, indifferent students, insufficient teaching time, and the status of ICT subject in school curriculum. This information could be useful in redesigning ICT teachers- roles and responsibilities as well as job environment in schools.
Abstract: Linear two-point boundary value problems of order
two are solved using cubic trigonometric B-spline interpolation
method (CTBIM). Cubic trigonometric B-spline is a piecewise
function consisting of trigonometric equations. This method is tested
on some problems and the results are compared with cubic B-spline
interpolation method (CBIM) from the literature. CTBIM is found to
approximate the solution slightly more accurately than CBIM if the
problems are trigonometric.
Abstract: The job shop scheduling problem (JSSP) is a
notoriously difficult problem in combinatorial optimization. This
paper presents a hybrid artificial immune system for the JSSP with the
objective of minimizing makespan. The proposed approach combines
the artificial immune system, which has a powerful global exploration
capability, with the local search method, which can exploit the optimal
antibody. The antibody coding scheme is based on the operation based
representation. The decoding procedure limits the search space to the
set of full active schedules. In each generation, a local search heuristic
based on the neighborhood structure proposed by Nowicki and
Smutnicki is applied to improve the solutions. The approach is tested
on 43 benchmark problems taken from the literature and compared
with other approaches. The computation results validate the
effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Abstract: α-Pinene is the main component of the most
turpentine oils. The hydration of α-pinene with acid catalysts leads to
a complex mixture of monoterpenes. In order to obtain more valuable
products, the α-pinene in the turpentine can be hydrated in dilute
mineral acid solutions to produce α-terpineol. The design of
separation processes requires information on phase equilibrium and
related thermodynamic properties. This paper reports the results of
study on liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) of system containing α-
pinene + water and α-terpineol + water.
Binary LLE for α-pinene + water system, and α-terpineol + water
systems were determined by experiment at 301K and atmospheric
pressure. The two component mixture was stirred for about 30min,
then the mixture was left for about 2h for complete phase separation.
The composition of both phases was analyzed by using a Gas
Chromatograph. The experimental data were correlated by
considering both NRTL and UNIQUAC activity coefficient models.
The LLE data for the system of α-pinene + water and α-terpineol +
water were correlated successfully by the NRTL model. The
experimental data were not satisfactorily fitted by the UNIQUAC
model. The NRTL model (α =0.3) correlates the LLE data for the
system of α-pinene + water at 301K with RMSD of 0.0404%. And
the NRTL model (α =0.61) at 301K with RMSD of 0.0058 %. The
NRTL model (α =0.3) correlates the LLE data for the system of α-
terpineol + water at 301K with RMSD of 0.1487% and the NRTL
model (α =0.6) at 301K with RMSD of 0.0032%, between the
experimental and calculated mole fractions.
Abstract: In this paper a combination approach of two heuristic-based algorithms: genetic algorithm and tabu search is proposed. It has been developed to obtain the least cost based on the split-pipe design of looped water distribution network. The proposed combination algorithm has been applied to solve the three well-known water distribution networks taken from the literature. The development of the combination of these two heuristic-based algorithms for optimization is aimed at enhancing their strengths and compensating their weaknesses. Tabu search is rather systematic and deterministic that uses adaptive memory in search process, while genetic algorithm is probabilistic and stochastic optimization technique in which the solution space is explored by generating candidate solutions. Split-pipe design may not be realistic in practice but in optimization purpose, optimal solutions are always achieved with split-pipe design. The solutions obtained in this study have proved that the least cost solutions obtained from the split-pipe design are always better than those obtained from the single pipe design. The results obtained from the combination approach show its ability and effectiveness to solve combinatorial optimization problems. The solutions obtained are very satisfactory and high quality in which the solutions of two networks are found to be the lowest-cost solutions yet presented in the literature. The concept of combination approach proposed in this study is expected to contribute some useful benefits in diverse problems.
Abstract: We demonstrate that it is possible to compute wave function normalization constants for a class of Schr¨odinger type equations by an algorithm which scales linearly (in the number of eigenfunction evaluations) with the desired precision P in decimals.
Abstract: During last decades, developing multi-objective
evolutionary algorithms for optimization problems has found
considerable attention. Flexible job shop scheduling problem, as an
important scheduling optimization problem, has found this attention
too. However, most of the multi-objective algorithms that are
developed for this problem use nonprofessional approaches. In
another words, most of them combine their objectives and then solve
multi-objective problem through single objective approaches. Of
course, except some scarce researches that uses Pareto-based
algorithms. Therefore, in this paper, a new Pareto-based algorithm
called controlled elitism non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm
(CENSGA) is proposed for the multi-objective FJSP (MOFJSP). Our
considered objectives are makespan, critical machine work load, and
total work load of machines. The proposed algorithm is also
compared with one the best Pareto-based algorithms of the literature
on some multi-objective criteria, statistically.
Abstract: The search for factors that influence user behavior has remained an important theme for both the academic and practitioner Information Systems Communities. In this paper we examine relevant user behaviors in the phase after adoption and investigate two factors that are expected to influence such behaviors, namely User Involvement (UI) and Personal Innovativeness in IT (PIIT). We conduct a field study to examine how these factors influence postadoption behavior and how they are interrelated. Building on theoretical premises and prior empirical findings, we propose and test two alternative models of the relationship between these factors. Our results reveal that the best explanation of post-adoption behavior is provided by the model where UI and PIIT independently influence post-adoption behavior. Our findings have important implications for research and practice. To that end, we offer directions for future research.