Abstract: This paper introduces a boost converter with a new
active snubber cell. In this circuit, all of the semiconductor
components in the converter softly turns on and turns off with the
help of the active snubber cell. Compared to the other converters, the
proposed converter has advantages of size, number of components
and cost. The main feature of proposed converter is that the extra
voltage stresses do not occur on the main switches and main diodes.
Also, the current stress on the main switch is acceptable level.
Moreover, the proposed converter can operates under light load
conditions and wide input line voltage. In this study, the operating
principle of the proposed converter is presented and its operation is
verified with the Proteus simulation software for a 1 kW and 100 kHz
model.
Abstract: HR is a department that enhances the power of
employee performance in regard with their services, and to make the
organization strategic objectives. The main concern of HR
department is to organize people, focus on policies and their system.
The empirical study shows the relationship between HRM (Human
Resource Management practices) and their Job Satisfaction. The
Hypothesis is testing on a sample of overall 320 employees of 5
different Pharmaceutical departments of different organizations in
Pakistan. The important thing as Relationship of Job satisfaction with
HR Practices, Impact on Job Satisfaction with HR Practices,
Participation of Staff of Different Departments, HR Practices effects
the Job satisfaction, Recruitment or Hiring and Selection effects the
Job satisfaction, Training and Development, Performance and
Appraisals, Compensation affects the Job satisfaction , and Industrial
Relationships affects the Job satisfaction. After finishing all data
analysis, the conclusion is that lots of Job related activities raise the
confidence of Job satisfaction of employees with their salary and
other benefits.
Abstract: Currently, green rating systems are mainly utilized for
correctly sizing mechanical and electrical systems, which have short
lifetime expectancies. In these systems, passive solar and bio-climatic
architecture, which have long lifetime expectancies, are neglected.
Urban rating systems consider buildings and services in addition to
neighborhoods and public transportation as integral parts of the built
environment. The main goal of this study was to develop a more
consistent point allocation system for urban building standards by
using six different lifetime shearing layers: Site, Structure, Skin,
Services, Space, and Stuff, each reflecting distinct environmental
damages. This shearing-layer concept was applied to internationally
well-known rating systems: Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) for Neighborhood Development, BRE
Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) for Communities
and Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental
Efficiency (CASBEE) for Urban Development. The results showed
that LEED for Neighborhood Development and BREEAM for
Communities focused on long-lifetime-expectancy building designs,
whereas CASBEE for Urban Development gave equal importance to
the Building and Service Layers. Moreover, although this rating
system was applied using a building-scale assessment, “Urban Area +
Buildings” focuses on a short-lifetime-expectancy system design,
neglecting to improve the architectural design by considering bioclimatic
and passive solar aspects.
Abstract: In this paper, we provided a literature survey on the
artificial stock problem (ASM). The paper began by exploring the
complexity of the stock market and the needs for ASM. ASM
aims to investigate the link between individual behaviors (micro
level) and financial market dynamics (macro level). The variety of
patterns at the macro level is a function of the AFM complexity. The
financial market system is a complex system where the relationship
between the micro and macro level cannot be captured analytically.
Computational approaches, such as simulation, are expected to
comprehend this connection. Agent-based simulation is a simulation
technique commonly used to build AFMs. The paper proceeds by
discussing the components of the ASM. We consider the roles
of behavioral finance (BF) alongside the traditionally risk-averse
assumption in the construction of agent’s attributes. Also, the
influence of social networks in the developing of agents interactions is
addressed. Network topologies such as a small world, distance-based,
and scale-free networks may be utilized to outline economic
collaborations. In addition, the primary methods for developing
agents learning and adaptive abilities have been summarized.
These incorporated approach such as Genetic Algorithm, Genetic
Programming, Artificial neural network and Reinforcement Learning.
In addition, the most common statistical properties (the stylized facts)
of stock that are used for calibration and validation of ASM are
discussed. Besides, we have reviewed the major related previous
studies and categorize the utilized approaches as a part of these
studies. Finally, research directions and potential research questions
are argued. The research directions of ASM may focus on the macro
level by analyzing the market dynamic or on the micro level by
investigating the wealth distributions of the agents.
Abstract: The development of electric vehicle batteries have
resulted in very high energy density lithium-ion batteries. However,
this progress is accompanied by the risk of thermal runaway, which
can result in serious accidents. Heat pipes are heat exchangers that
are suitable to be applied in electric vehicle battery thermal
management for their lightweight, compact size and do not require
external power supply. This paper aims to examine experimentally a
Flat Plate Loop Heat Pipe (FPLHP) performance as a heat exchanger
in thermal management system of lithium-ion battery for electric
vehicle application. The heat generation of the battery was simulated
using a cartridge heater. Stainless steel screen mesh was used as the
capillary wick. Distilled water, alcohol and acetone were used as
working fluids with a filling ratio of 60%. It was found that acetone
gives the best performance that produces thermal resistance of 0.22
W/°C with 50°C evaporator temperature at heat flux load of 1.61
W/cm2.
Abstract: Mobile Adhoc Networks (MANETs) are
infrastructure-less, dynamic network of collections of wireless mobile
nodes communicating with each other without any centralized
authority. A MANET is a mobile device of interconnections through
wireless links, forming a dynamic topology. Routing protocols have a
big role in data transmission across a network. Routing protocols,
two major classifications are unipath and multipath. This study
evaluates performance of an on-demand multipath routing protocol
named Adhoc On-demand Multipath Distance Vector routing
(AOMDV). This study proposes Energy Aware AOMDV (EAAOMDV)
an extension of AOMDV which decreases energy
consumed on a route.
Abstract: This paper presents modeling and simulation of
flexible robot in an underwater environment. The underwater
environment completely contrasts with ground or space environment.
The robot in an underwater situation is subjected to various dynamic
forces like buoyancy forces, hydrostatic and hydrodynamic forces.
The underwater robot is modeled as Rayleigh beam. The developed
model further allows estimating the deflection of tip in two
directions. The complete dynamics of the underwater robot is
analyzed, which is the main focus of this investigation. The control of
robot trajectory is not discussed in this paper. Simulation is
performed using Symbol Shakti software.
Abstract: ANDASA is a knowledge management platform for
the capitalization of knowledge and cultural assets for the artistic and
cultural sectors. It was built based on the priorities expressed by the
participating artists. Through mapping artistic activities and
specificities, it enables to highlight various aspects of the artistic
research and production. Such instrument will contribute to create
networks and partnerships, as it enables to evidentiate who does
what, in what field, using which methodology. The platform is
accessible to network participants and to the general public.
Abstract: In order to study the effect of different levels of triple
super phosphate chemical fertilizer and biological phosphate fertilizer
(fertile 2) on some morphological traits of corn this research was
carried out in Ahvaz in 2002 as a factorial experiment in randomized
complete block design with 4 replications). The experiment included
two factors: first, biological phosphate fertilizer (fertile 2) at three
levels of 0, 100, 200 g/ha; second, triple super phosphate chemical
fertilizer at three levels of 0, 60, 90 kg/ha of pure phosphorus (P2O5).
The obtained results indicated that fertilizer treatments had a
significant effect on some morphological traits at 1% probability
level. In this regard, P2B2 treatment (100 g/ha biological phosphate
fertilizer (fertile 2) and 60 kg/ha triple super phosphate fertilizer) had
the greatest plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves and ear
length. It seems that in Ahvaz weather conditions, decrease of
consumption of triple superphosphate chemical fertilizer to less than
a half along with the consumption of biological phosphate fertilizer
(fertile 2) is highly important in order to achieve optimal results.
Therefore, it can be concluded that biological fertilizers can be used
as a suitable substitute for some of the chemical fertilizers in
sustainable agricultural systems.
Abstract: An experimental investigation is carried out to
establish the performance characteristics of a compression ignition
engine while using cerium oxide nanoparticles as additive in neat
diesel and diesel-biodiesel blends. In the first phase of the
experiments, stability of neat diesel and diesel-biodiesel fuel blends
with the addition of cerium oxide nanoparticles is analyzed. After
series of experiments, it is found that the blends subjected to high
speed blending followed by ultrasonic bath stabilization improves the
stability. In the second phase, performance characteristics are studied
using the stable fuel blends in a single cylinder four stroke engine
coupled with an electrical dynamometer and a data acquisition
system. The cerium oxide acts as an oxygen donating catalyst and
provides oxygen for combustion. The activation energy of cerium
oxide acts to burn off carbon deposits within the engine cylinder at
the wall temperature and prevents the deposition of non-polar
compounds on the cylinder wall results reduction in HC emissions.
The tests revealed that cerium oxide nanoparticles can be used as
additive in diesel and diesel-biodiesel blends to improve complete
combustion of the fuel significantly.
Abstract: Experiential marketing is one of the marketing
approaches that offer an exceptional framework to integrate elements
of experience and entertainment in a product or service. Experiential
marketing is defined as a memorable experience that goes deeply into
the customer’s mind. Besides that, customer satisfaction is defined as
an emotional response to the experiences provided by and associated
with particular products or services purchased. Thus, experiential
marketing activities can affect the level of customer satisfaction and
loyalty. In this context, the research aims to explore the relationship
among experiential marketing, customer satisfaction and customer
loyalty among the cosmetic products customers in Konya. The partial
least squares (PLS) method is used to analyze the survey data.
Findings of the present study revealed that experiential marketing has
been a significant predictor of customer satisfaction and customer
loyalty, and also experiential marketing has a significantly positive
effect on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.
Abstract: Crops diversity and maintaining and enhancing the
fertility of agricultural lands are basic principles of organic farming.
With a wider range of crops in agroecosystem can improve the ability
to control weeds, pests and diseases, and the performance of crops
rotation and food safety. In this sense, the main objective of the
research was to study the productivity and chemical composition of
some alternative crops and their adaptability to soil and climatic
conditions of the agricultural area in Southern Romania and to
cultivation in the organic farming system. The alternative crops were:
lentil (7 genotypes); five species of grain legumes (5 genotypes); four
species of oil crops (5 genotypes). The seed production was, on
average: 1343 kg/ha of lentil; 2500 kg/ha of field beans; 2400 kg/ha
of chick peas and blackeyed peas; more than 2000 kg/ha of atzuki
beans, over 1250 kg/ha of fenugreek; 2200 kg/ha of safflower; 570
kg/ha of oil pumpkin; 2150 kg/ha of oil flax; 1518 kg/ha of camelina.
Regarding chemical composition, lentil seeds contained: 22.18%
proteins, 3.03% lipids, 33.29% glucides, 4.00% minerals, and 259.97
kcal energy values. For field beans: 21.50% proteins, 4.40% lipids,
63.90% glucides, 5.85% minerals, 395.36 kcal energetic value. For
chick peas: 21.23% proteins, 4.55% lipids, 53.00% glucides, 3.67%
minerals, 348.22 kcal energetic value. For blackeyed peas: 23.30%
proteins, 2.10% lipids, 68.10% glucides, 3.93% minerals, 350.14 kcal
energetic value. For adzuki beans: 21.90% proteins, 2.60% lipids,
69.30% glucides, 4.10% minerals, 402.48 kcal energetic value. For
fenugreek: 21.30% proteins, 4.65% lipids, 63.83% glucides, 5.69%
minerals, 396.54 kcal energetic value. For safflower: 12.60%
proteins, 28.37% lipids, 46.41% glucides, 3.60% minerals, 505.78
kcal energetic value. For camelina: 20.29% proteins, 31.68% lipids,
36.28% glucides, 4.29% minerals, 526.63 kcal energetic value. For
oil pumpkin: 29.50% proteins, 36.92% lipids, 18.50% glucides,
5.41% minerals, 540.15 kcal energetic value. For oil flax: 22.56%
proteins, 34.10% lipids, 27.73% glucides, 5.25% minerals, 558.45
kcal energetic value.
Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between
corporate governance rating and stock prices of 26 Turkish firms
listed in Turkish stock exchange (Borsa Istanbul) by using panel data
analysis over five-year period. The paper also investigates the stock
performance of firms with governance rating with regards to the
market portfolio (i.e. BIST 100 Index) both prior and after
governance scoring began. The empirical results show that there is no
relation between corporate governance rating and stock prices when
using panel data for annual variation in both rating score and stock
prices. Further analysis indicates surprising results that while the
selected firms outperform the market significantly prior to rating, the
same performance does not continue afterwards.
Abstract: Sustainability is a very important and heavily
discussed subject, expanding through tourism as well. The study
proposition was to collect data and present it to the competent bodies
so they can mold their public policies to improve the conditions of
the site. It was hypothesized that the lack of data is currently
affecting the quality of life and the sustainable development of the
site and the tourism. The research was held in Mateiros, a city in the
state of Tocantins (TO)/Brasil near Palmas, its capital city. Because
of the concentration of tourists during the high season and several
tourist attractions being around, the research took place in Mateiros.
The methodological procedure had a script of theoretical construction
and investigation of the deductive scientific method parameters
through a case study in the Jalapão/TO/Brazil region, using it as a
tool for a questionnaire given to the competent bodies in an interview
system with the UN sustainability indexes as a base. In the three
sustainable development scope: environmental, social and economic,
the results indicated that the data presented by the interviewed were
scarce or nonexistent. It shows that more research is necessary,
providing the tools for the ones responsible to propose action plans to
improve the site, strengthening the tourism and making it even more
sustainable.
Abstract: Most of the existing video streaming protocols
provide video services without considering security aspects in
decentralized mobile ad-hoc networks. The security policies adapted
to the currently existing non-streaming protocols, do not comply with
the live video streaming protocols resulting in considerable
vulnerability, high bandwidth consumption and unreliability which
cause severe security threats, low bandwidth and error prone
transmission respectively in video streaming applications. Therefore
a synergized methodology is required to reduce vulnerability and
bandwidth consumption, and enhance reliability in the video
streaming applications in MANET. To ensure the security measures
with reduced bandwidth consumption and improve reliability of the
video streaming applications, a Secure Low-bandwidth Video
Streaming through Reliable Multipath Propagation (SLVRMP)
protocol architecture has been proposed by incorporating the two
algorithms namely Secure Low-bandwidth Video Streaming
Algorithm and Reliable Secure Multipath Propagation Algorithm
using Layered Video Coding in non-overlapping zone routing
network topology. The performances of the proposed system are
compared to those of the other existing secure multipath protocols
Sec-MR, SPREAD using NS 2.34 and the simulation results show
that the performances of the proposed system get considerably
improved.
Abstract: Several embryonic cellular mechanism including cell
cycle, growth and apoptosis are regulated by phosphatidylinositol-3-
kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. The goal of present study is to
determine the effects of annatto (Bixa orellana)-derived δ-tocotrienol
(δ-TCT) on the regulations of PI3K/Akt genes in murine morula.
Twenty four 6-8 week old (23-25g) female balb/c mice were
randomly divided into four groups (G1-G4; n=6). Those groups were
subjected to the following treatments for 7 consecutive days: G1
(control) received tocopherol stripped corn oil, G2 was given 60
mg/kg/day of δ-TCT mixture (contains 90% delta & 10% gamma
isomers), G3 was given 60 mg/kg/day of pure δ-TCT (>98% purity)
and G4 received 60 mg/kg/day α-TOC. On Day 8, females were
superovulated with 5 IU Pregnant Mare’s Serum Gonadotropin
(PMSG) for 48 hours followed with 5 IU human Chorionic
Gonadotropin (hCG) before mated with males at the ratio of 1:1.
Females were sacrificed by cervical dislocation for embryo collection
48 hours post-coitum. About fifty morulas from each group were
used in the gene expression analyses using Affymetrix QuantiGene
Plex 2.0 Assay. Present data showed a significant increase (p
Abstract: A Rice Sheller is used for obtaining polished white
rice from paddy. There are about 3000 Rice Shellers in Punjab and
50000 in India. During the process of shelling lot of dust is emitted
from different unit operations like paddy silo, paddy shaker, bucket
elevators, huskers, paddy separator etc. These dust emissions have
adverse effect on the health of the workers and the wear and tear of
the shelling machinery is fast. All the dust emissions spewing out of
these unit operations of a rice Sheller were contained by providing
suitable hoods and enclosures while ensuring their workability. These
were sucked by providing an induced draft fan followed by a high
efficiency cyclone separator that has got an overall dust collection
efficiency of more than 90%. This cyclone separator replaced two
cyclone separators and a filter bag house, which the Rice Sheller was
already having. The dust concentration in the stack after the
installation of cyclone separator is well within the stipulated
standards. Besides controlling pollution, there is improvement in the
quality of products like bran and the life of shelling machinery has
enhanced. The payback period of this technology is less than four
shelling months.
Abstract: Ceramic Waste Aggregates (CWAs) were made from
electric porcelain insulator wastes supplied from an electric power
company, which were crushed and ground to fine aggregate sizes. In
this study, to develop the CWA mortar as an eco–efficient, ground
granulated blast–furnace slag (GGBS) as a Supplementary
Cementitious Material (SCM) was incorporated. The water–to–binder
ratio (W/B) of the CWA mortars was varied at 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6. The
cement of the CWA mortar was replaced by GGBS at 20 and 40% by
volume (at about 18 and 37% by weight). Mechanical properties of
compressive and splitting tensile strengths, and elastic modulus were
evaluated at the age of 7, 28, and 91 days. Moreover, the chloride
ingress test was carried out on the CWA mortars in a 5.0% NaCl
solution for 48 weeks. The chloride diffusion was assessed by using an
electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). To consider the relation of the
apparent chloride diffusion coefficient and the pore size, the pore size
distribution test was also performed using a mercury intrusion
porosimetry at the same time with the EPMA. The compressive
strength of the CWA mortars with the GGBS was higher than that
without the GGBS at the age of 28 and 91 days. The resistance to the
chloride ingress of the CWA mortar was effective in proportion to the
GGBS replacement level.
Abstract: Live video streaming is one of the most widely used
service among end users, yet it is a big challenge for the network
operators in terms of quality. The only way to provide excellent
Quality of Experience (QoE) to the end users is continuous
monitoring of live video streaming. For this purpose, there are several
objective algorithms available that monitor the quality of the video in
a live stream. Subjective tests play a very important role in fine
tuning the results of objective algorithms. As human perception is
considered to be the most reliable source for assessing the quality of a
video stream subjective tests are conducted in order to develop more
reliable objective algorithms. Temporal impairments in a live video
stream can have a negative impact on the end users. In this paper we
have conducted subjective evaluation tests on a set of video
sequences containing temporal impairment known as frame freezing.
Frame Freezing is considered as a transmission error as well as a
hardware error which can result in loss of video frames on the
reception side of a transmission system. In our subjective tests, we
have performed tests on videos that contain a single freezing event
and also for videos that contain multiple freezing events. We have
recorded our subjective test results for all the videos in order to give a
comparison on the available No Reference (NR) objective
algorithms. Finally, we have shown the performance of no reference
algorithms used for objective evaluation of videos and suggested the
algorithm that works better. The outcome of this study shows the
importance of QoE and its effect on human perception. The results
for the subjective evaluation can serve the purpose for validating
objective algorithms.
Abstract: This paper shows the general perceptions of Spanish
university stakeholders in relation to the university’s annual reports
and the adequacy and potential of intellectual capital reporting. To
this end, a questionnaire was designed and sent to every member of
the Social Councils of Spanish public universities. It was thought that
these participants would provide a good example of the attitude of
university stakeholders since they represent the different social
groups connected with universities. From the results of this study we
are in the position of confirming the need for universities to offer
information on intellectual capital in their accounting information
model.