Abstract: In order to be capable of dealing with uncertainties,
subjectivities, including vagueness arising in building construction
projects, the application of fuzzy reasoning technique based on fuzzy
set theory is proposed. This study contributes significantly to the
development of a fuzzy reasoning safety risk assessment model for
building construction projects that could be employed to assess the
risk magnitude of each hazardous event identified during
construction, and a third parameter of probability of consequence is
incorporated in the model. By using the proposed safety risk analysis
methodology, more reliable and less ambiguities, which provide the
safety risk management project team for decision-making purposes.
Abstract: A mixed method for model order reduction is
presented in this paper. The denominator polynomial is derived by
matching both Markov parameters and time moments, whereas
numerator polynomial derivation and error minimization is done
using Genetic Algorithm. The efficiency of the proposed method can
be investigated in terms of closeness of the response of reduced order
model with respect to that of higher order original model and a
comparison of the integral square error as well.
Abstract: This study presents a kinematic positioning approach
that uses a global positioning system (GPS) buoy for precise ocean
surface monitoring. The GPS buoy data from the two experiments are
processed using an accurate, medium-range differential kinematic
technique. In each case, the data from a nearby coastal site are
collected at a high rate (1 Hz) for more than 24 hours, and
measurements are conducted in neighboring tidal stations to verify
the estimated sea surface heights. The GPS buoy kinematic
coordinates are estimated using epoch-wise pre-elimination and a
backward substitution algorithm. Test results show that centimeterlevel
accuracy can be successfully achieved in determining sea
surface height using the proposed technique. The centimeter-level
agreement between the two methods also suggests the possibility of
using this inexpensive and more flexible GPS buoy equipment to
enhance (or even replace) current tidal gauge stations.
Abstract: One of the tasks of optical surveillance is to detect
anomalies in large amounts of image data. However, if the size of the
anomaly is very small, limited information is available to distinguish
it from the surrounding environment. Spectral detection provides a
useful source of additional information and may help to detect
anomalies with a size of a few pixels or less. Unfortunately, spectral
cameras are expensive because of the difficulty of separating two
spatial in addition to one spectral dimension. We investigate the
possibility of modifying a simple spectral line detector for outdoor
detection. This may be especially useful if the area of interest forms a
line, such as the horizon. We use a monochrome CCD that also
enables detection into the near infrared. A simple camera is attached
to the setup to determine which part of the environment is spectrally
imaged. Our preliminary results indicate that sensitive detection of
very small targets is indeed possible. Spectra could be taken from the
various targets by averaging columns in the line image. By imaging a
set of lines of various widths we found narrow lines that could not be
seen in the color image but remained visible in the spectral line
image. A simultaneous analysis of the entire spectra can produce
better results than visual inspection of the line spectral image. We are
presently developing calibration targets for spatial and spectral
focusing and alignment with the spatial camera. This will present
improved results and more use in outdoor application.
Abstract: The aim of the performed work is to establish the 2D
and 3D model of direct unsteady task of sample heat treatment by
moving source employing computer model on the basis of finite
element method. Complex boundary condition on heat loaded sample
surface is the essential feature of the task. Computer model describes
heat treatment of the sample during heat source movement over the
sample surface. It is started from 2D task of sample cross section as a
basic model. Possibilities of extension from 2D to 3D task are
discussed. The effect of the addition of third model dimension on
temperature distribution in the sample is showed. Comparison of
various model parameters on the sample temperatures is observed.
Influence of heat source motion on the depth of material heat
treatment is shown for several velocities of the movement. Presented
computer model is prepared for the utilization in laser treatment of
machine parts.
Abstract: With the increasing population and intensive land use,
huge traffic demand is generating worldwide both in developing and
developed countries. As a developing country, Bangladesh is also
facing the same problem in recent years by producing huge numbers
of daily trips. As a matter of fact, extensive traffic demand is
increasing day by day. Also, transport system in Dhaka is
heterogeneous, reflecting the heterogeneity in the socio-economic
and land use patterns. Trips produced here are for different purposes
such as work, business, educational etc. Due to the significant
concentration of educational institutions a large share of the trips are
generated by educational purpose. And one of the major percentages
of educational trips is produced by university going students and
most of them are travelled by car, bus, train, taxi, rickshaw etc. The
aim of the study was to find out the university students’ perception on
public transit ridership. A survey was conducted among 330 students
from eight different universities. It was found out that 26% of the
trips produced by university going students are travelled by public
bus service and only 5% are by train. Percentage of car share is 16%
and 12% of the trips are travelled by private taxi. It has been
observed from the study, students those who prefer bus instead of
other options, 42 percent of their family resides outside Dhaka. And
those who prefer walking, of them, over 40 percent students’ family
reside outside of Dhaka and of them over 85 percent students have a
tendency to live in a mess. On the contrary, students travelling by car
represents, most of their family reside in Dhaka. The study also
revealed that the most important reason that restricts students not to
use public transit is poor service. Negative attitudes such as
discomfort, uneasiness in using public transit also reduces the usage
of public transit. The poor waiting area is another major cause of not
using public transit. Insufficient security also plays a significant role
in not using public transit. On the contrary, the fare is not a problem
for students those who use public transit as a mode of transportation.
Students also think stations are not far away from their home or
institution and they do not need to wait long for the buses or trains. It
was also found accessibility to public transit is moderate.
Abstract: A problem of complex mineral resources development is urgent and priority, it is aimed at realization of the processes of their ecologically safe development, one of its components is revealing the influence of the forms of element compounds in raw materials and in the processing products. In view of depletion of the precious metal reserves at the traditional deposits in the XXI century the large-size open cast deposits, localized in black shale strata begin to play the leading role. Carbonaceous (black) shales carry a heightened metallogenic potential. Black shales with high content of carbon are widely distributed within the scope of Bureinsky massif. According to academician Hanchuk`s data black shales of Sutirskaya series contain generally PGEs native form. The presence of high absorptive towards carbonaceous matter gold and PGEs compounds in crude ore results in decrease of valuable components extraction because of their sorption into dissipated carbonaceous matter.
Abstract: Growing human population has placed increased
demands on water supplies and spurred a heightened interest in
desalination infrastructure. Key elements of the economics of
desalination projects are thermal and electrical inputs. With growing
concerns over use of fossil fuels to (indirectly) supply these inputs,
coupling of desalination with nuclear power production represents a
significant opportunity. Individually, nuclear and desalination
technologies have a long history and are relatively mature. For
desalination, Reverse Osmosis (RO) has the lowest energy inputs.
However, the economically driven output quality of the water
produced using RO, which uses only electrical inputs, is lower than the
output water quality from thermal desalination plants. Therefore,
modern desalination projects consider that RO should be coupled with
thermal desalination technologies (MSF, MED, or MED-TVC) with
attendant steam inputs to permit blending to produce various qualities
of water. A large nuclear facility is well positioned to dispatch large
quantities of both electrical and thermal power. This paper considers
the supply of thermal energy to a large desalination facility to examine
heat balance impact on the nuclear steam cycle. The APR1400 nuclear
plant is selected as prototypical from both a capacity and turbine cycle
heat balance perspective to examine steam supply and the impact on
electrical output. Extraction points and quantities of steam are
considered parametrically along with various types of thermal
desalination technologies to form the basis for further evaluations of
economically optimal approaches to the interface of nuclear power
production with desalination projects. In our study, the
thermodynamic evaluation will be executed by DE-TOP, an IAEA
sponsored program. DE-TOP has capabilities to analyze power
generation systems coupled to desalination plants through various
steam extraction positions, taking into consideration the isolation loop
between the nuclear and the thermal desalination facilities (i.e., for
radiological isolation).
Abstract: Objectives: To determine the nutritional status and
risk factors associated with women practicing geophagia in QwaQwa,
South Africa. Materials and Methods: An observational epidemiological study
design was adopted which included an exposed (geophagia) and nonexposed
(control) group. A food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and blood sampling were applied to
determine nutritional status of participants. Logistic regression
analysis was performed in order to identify factors that were likely to
be associated with the practice of geophagia. Results: The mean total energy intake for the geophagia group (G)
and control group (C) were 10324.31 ± 2755.00 kJ and 10763.94 ±
2556.30 kJ respectively. Both groups fell within the overweight
category according to the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of each
group (G= 25.59 kg/m2; C= 25.14 kg/m2). The mean serum iron
levels of the geophagia group (6.929 μmol/l) were significantly lower
than that of the control group (13.75 μmol/l) (p = 0.000). Serum
transferrin (G=3.23g/l; C=2.7054g/l) and serum transferrin saturation
(G=8.05%; C=18.74%) levels also differed significantly between
groups (p=0.00). Factors that were associated with the practice of
geophagia included haemoglobin (Odds ratio (OR):14.50), serumiron
(OR: 9.80), serum-ferritin (OR: 3.75), serum-transferrin (OR:
6.92) and transferrin saturation (OR: 14.50). A significant negative
association (p=0.014) was found between women who were wageearners
and those who were not wage-earners and the practice of
geophagia (OR: 0.143; CI: 0.027; 0.755). These findings seem to
indicate that a permanent income may decrease the likelihood of
practising geophagia. Key Findings: Geophagia was confirmed to be a risk factor for
iron deficiency in this community. The significantly strong
association between geophagia and iron deficiency emphasizes the
importance of identifying the practice of geophagia in women,
especially during their child bearing years.
Abstract: Processing of high-silicon bauxite on the base of the
traditional clinkering method is related to high power consumption
and capital investments, which makes production of alumina from
those ores non-competitive in terms of basic economic showings. For
these reasons, development of technological solutions enabling to
process bauxites with various chemical and mineralogical structures
efficiently with low level of thermal power consumption is important.
Flow sheet of the studies on washability of ores from the Timanskoe
and the Severo-Onezhskoe deposits is on the base of the flotation
method.
Abstract: This paper tries to answer to the questions whether or
not trade openness causes economic growth and trade policy changes
are good for Turkey as a developing country in global economy
before and after 1980. We employ Johansen co-integration and
Granger causality tests with error correction modeling based on
vector autoregressive. Using WDI data from the pre-1980 and the
post-1980, we find that trade openness and economic growth are cointegrated
in the second term only. Also the results suggest a lack of
long-run causality between our two variables. These findings may
imply that trade policy of Turkey should concentrate more on extra
complementary economic reforms.
Abstract: Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) systems are
wireless systems with multiple antenna elements at both ends of the
link. Wireless communication systems demand high data rate and
spectral efficiency with increased reliability. MIMO systems have
been popular techniques to achieve these goals because increased
data rate is possible through spatial multiplexing scheme and
diversity. Spatial Multiplexing (SM) is used to achieve higher
possible throughput than diversity. In this paper, we propose a Zero-
Forcing (ZF) detection using a combination of Ordered Successive
Interference Cancellation (OSIC) and Zero Forcing using
Interference Cancellation (ZF-IC). The proposed method used an
OSIC based on Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) ordering to get the
estimation of last symbol, then the estimated last symbol is
considered to be an input to the ZF-IC. We analyze the Bit Error Rate
(BER) performance of the proposed MIMO system over Rayleigh
Fading Channel, using Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK)
modulation scheme. The results show better performance than the
previous methods.
Abstract: Radical technological innovations enable companies
to reach strong market positions and are thus desirable. On the other
hand, the innovation process is related to significant costs and risks.
Hence, the knowledge of the factors that influence success is crucial
for technology driven companies. Taking a previously developed
framework of Critical Success Factors for radical technological
innovations as a reference model, we conducted a structured and
focused literature review of eleven standard books within the field of
technology and innovation management. With this approach we aim
to evaluate, expand, and clarify the set of Critical Success Factors
detailed in this framework. Overall, the set of factors and their
allocation to the main categories of the framework could be
confirmed. However, the factor organizational home is not
emphasized and discussed in most of the reviewed literature. On the
other hand, an additional factor that has not been part of the
framework is described to be important – strategy fit. Furthermore,
the factors strategic alliances and platform strategy appear in the
literature but in a different context compared to the reference model.
Abstract: In this paper, various methods of providing restricted
earth fault protection are discussed. The proper operation of high and
low impedance Restricted Earth Fault (REF) protection for various
applications has been discussed. The maloperation of a relay due to
improper placement of CTs has been identified and a simple/unique
solution has been proposed in this work with a case study. Moreover,
it is found that the proper placement of CT in high impedance method
will provide the same result with reduced CT. This methodology has
been successfully implemented in Al Takreer refinery for a 2000
KVA transformer. The outcome of the paper may be included in
IEEEC37.91 standard to give the proper guidance for protection
engineers to sort out the issues related to mal functioning of REF
relays.
Abstract: Our sowing date experiment took place in the
Demonstration Garden of Institution of Plant Sciences, Centre for
Agricultural Sciences of University of Debrecen, in 2012-2014. The
paper contains data of test year 2014. Our purpose, besides several
other examinations, was to observe how sowing date influences the
leaf area index and the activity of photosynthesis of maize hybrids,
and how those factors affect fruiting. In the experiment we monitored
the change of the leaf area index and the photosynthesis of hybrids
with four different growing seasons. The results obtained confirm
that not only the environmental and agricultural factors in the
growing season have effect on the yield, but also other factors like
the leaf area index and the photosynthesis are determinative
parameters, and all those factors together, modifying the effects of
each other, develop average yields.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship
between organizational commitment which is defined as a strong
belief in and acceptance of the organization’s goals and values, and
burnout syndrome and organizational cynicism. Accordingly, a field
research based on survey method was conducted on the employees of
a health institution operating in the province of Konya. The findings
of the research show that there is a positive statistically significant
relationship between organizational cynicism and burnout while
there is a negative statistically significant relationship between
organizational commitment and burnout. Furthermore, it has been
also realized that there is a negative and statistically significant
relationship between organizational commitment and organizational
cynicism.
Abstract: Since the last decade, there has been a rapid growth in
digital multimedia, such as high-resolution media files and threedimentional
movies. Hence, there is a need for large digital storage
such as Hard Disk Drive (HDD). As such, users expect to have a
quieter HDD in their laptop. In this paper, a jury test has been
conducted on a group of 34 people where 17 of them are students
who are the potential consumer, and the remaining are engineers who
know the HDD. A total 13 HDD sound samples have been selected
from over hundred HDD noise recordings. These samples are
selected based on an agreed subjective feeling. The samples are
played to the participants using head acoustic playback system, which
enabled them to experience as similar as possible the same
environment as have been recorded. Analysis has been conducted and
the obtained results have indicated different group has different
perception over the noises. Two neural network-based acoustic
annoyance models are established based on back propagation neural
network. Four psychoacoustic metrics, loudness, sharpness,
roughness and fluctuation strength, are used as the input of the
model, and the subjective evaluation results are taken as the output.
The developed models are reasonably accurate in simulating both
training and test samples.
Abstract: Rice Husk (RH) is the major byproduct in the
processing of paddy rice. The management of this waste has become
a big challenge to some of the rice producers, some of these wastes
are left in open dumps while some are burn in the open space, and
these two actions have been contributing to environmental pollution.
This study evaluates an alternative waste management of this
agricultural product for use as a civil engineering material. The RH
was burn in a controlled environment to form Rice Husk Ash (RHA).
The RHA was mix with lateritic clay at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%
proportion by weight. Chemical test was conducted on the open burn
and controlled burn RHA with the lateritic clay. Physical test such as
particle size distribution, Atterberg limits test, and density test were
carried out on the mix material. The chemical composition obtained
for the RHA showed that the total percentage compositions of Fe2O3,
SiO2 and Al2O3 were found to be above 70% (class “F” pozzolan)
which qualifies it as a very good pozzolan. The coefficient of
uniformity (Cu) was 8 and coefficient of curvature (Cc) was 2 for the
soil sample. The Plasticity Index (PI) for the 0, 2, 4, 6, 8. 10% was
21.0, 18.8, 16.7, 14.4, 12.4 and 10.7 respectively. The work
concluded that RHA can be effectively used in hydraulic barriers and
as a stabilizing agent in soil stabilization.
Abstract: Natural admixtures provide concrete with enhanced
properties but their processing end up making them very expensive
resulting in increase to cost of concrete. In this study the effect
of Gum from Acacia Karroo (GAK) as set-retarding admixture
in cement pastes was studied. The possibility of using GAK as
water reducing admixture both in cement mortar concrete was
also investigated. Cement pastes with different dosages of GAK
were prepared to measure the setting time using different dosages.
Compressive strength of cement mortars with 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9%
weight of cement and w/c ratio of 0.5 were compared to those with
water cement (w/c) ratio of 0.44 but same dosage of GAK. Concrete
samples were prepared using higher dosages of GAK (1, 2 and 3%
wt of cement) and a water bidder (w/b) of 0.61 were compared to
those with the same GAK dosage but with reduced w/b ratio. There
was increase in compressive strength of 9.3% at 28 days for cement
mortar samples with 0.9% dosage of GAK and reduced w/c ratio.
Abstract: This study and the field test comparisons were carried
out on the Algerian Derguna – Setif transmission systems. The
transmission line of normal voltage 225 kV is 65 km long,
transported and uses twin bundle conductors protected with two
shield wires of transposed galvanized steel. An iterative finite-element method is used to solve Poisons
equation. Two algorithms are proposed for satisfying the current
continuity condition and updating the space-charge density. A new approach to the problem of corona discharge in
transmission system has been described in this paper. The effect of
varying the configurations and wires number is also investigated. The
analysis of this steady is important in the design of HVDC
transmission lines. The potential and electric field have been
calculating in locations singular points of the system.