Abstract: Web Usage Mining is the application of data mining
techniques to find usage patterns from web log data, so as to grasp
required patterns and serve the requirements of Web-based
applications. User’s expertise on the internet may be improved by
minimizing user’s web access latency. This may be done by
predicting the future search page earlier and the same may be prefetched
and cached. Therefore, to enhance the standard of web
services, it is needed topic to research the user web navigation
behavior. Analysis of user’s web navigation behavior is achieved
through modeling web navigation history. We propose this technique
which cluster’s the user sessions, based on the K-medoids technique.
Abstract: In this paper, we introduce a flexible box erecting
machine (BEM) that swiftly and automatically transforms cardboard
into a three dimensional box. Recently, the parcel service and
home-shopping industries have grown rapidly, and there is an
increasing need for various box types to ship various products.
However, workers cannot fold thousands of boxes manually in a day.
As such, automatic BEMs are garnering greater attention. This study
takes equipment operation into consideration as well as mechanical
improvements in order to design a BEM that is able to outperform its
conventional counterparts. We analyzed six dispatching rules – First In
First Out (FIFO), Shortest Processing Time (SPT), Earliest Due Date
(EDD), Setup Avoidance, EDD + SPT, and EDD + Setup Avoidance –
to determine which one was most suitable for BEM operation.
Consequently, SPT and Setup Avoidance were found to be the most
critical rules, followed by EDD + Setup Avoidance, EDD + SPT,
EDD, and FIFO. This hierarchy was valid for both our conventional
BEM and our new flexible BEM from the viewpoint of processing
time. We believe that this research can contribute to flexible BEM
management, which has the potential to increase productivity and
convenience.
Abstract: Fresh concrete has one of dynamic properties known
as slump. Slump of concrete is design to compatible with placing
method. Due to hydration reaction of cement, the slump of concrete
is loss through time. Therefore, delayed concrete probably get reject
because slump is unacceptable. In order to recover the slump of
delayed concrete the second dose of superplasticizer (naphthalene
based type F) is added into the system, the slump recovery can be
done as long as the concrete is not setting. By adding superplasticizer
as solution for recover unusable slump loss concrete may affects
other concrete properties. Therefore, this paper was observed setting
times and compressive strength of concrete after being re-dose with
chemical admixture type F (superplasticizer, naphthalene based) for
slump recovery. The concrete used in this study was fly ash concrete
with fly ash replacement of 0%, 30% and 50% respectively. Concrete
mix designed for test specimen was prepared with paste content (ratio
of volume of cement to volume of void in the aggregate) of 1.2 and
1.3, water-to-binder ratio (w/b) range of 0.3 to 0.58, initial dose of
superplasticizer (SP) range from 0.5 to 1.6%. The setting times of
concrete were tested both before and after re-dosed with different
amount of second dose and time of dosing. The research was
concluded that addition of second dose of superplasticizer would
increase both initial and final setting times accordingly to dosage of
addition. As for fly ash concrete, the prolongation effect was higher
as the replacement of fly ash increase. The prolongation effect can
reach up to maximum about 4 hours. In case of compressive strength,
the re-dosed concrete has strength fluctuation within acceptable range
of ±10%.
Abstract: This report examines the current state of human gait
simulator development based on the human hip joint model. This unit
will create a database of human gait types, useful for setting up and
calibrating Mechano devices, as well as the creation of new systems
of rehabilitation, exoskeletons and walking robots. The system has
many opportunities to configure the dimensions and stiffness, while
maintaining relative simplicity.
Abstract: This paper aimed to introduce the solution of concrete
slump recovery using chemical admixture type-F (superplasticizer,
naphthalene base) to the practice in order to solve unusable concrete
problem due to concrete loss its slump, especially for those tropical
countries that have faster slump loss rate. In the other hand, randomly
adding superplasticizer into concrete can cause concrete to segregate.
Therefore, this paper also develops the estimation model used to
calculate amount of second dose of superplasticizer need for concrete
slump recovery. Fresh properties of ordinary Portland cement
concrete with volumetric ratio of paste to void between aggregate
(paste content) of 1.1-1.3 with water-cement ratio zone of 0.30 to
0.67 and initial superplasticizer (naphthalene base) of 0.25%-1.6%
were tested for initial slump and slump loss for every 30 minutes for
one and half hour by slump cone test. Those concretes with slump
loss range from 10% to 90% were re-dosed and successfully
recovered back to its initial slump. Slump after re-dosed was tested
by slump cone test. From the result, it has been concluded that, slump
loss was slower for those mix with high initial dose of
superplasticizer due to addition of superplasticizer will disturb
cement hydration. The required second dose of superplasticizer was
affected by two major parameters, which were water-cement ratio
and paste content, where lower water-cement ratio and paste content
cause an increase in require second dose of superplasticizer. The
amount of second dose of superplasticizer is higher as the solid
content within the system is increase, solid can be either from cement
particles or aggregate. The data was analyzed to form an equation use
to estimate the amount of second dosage requirement of
superplasticizer to recovery slump to its original.
Abstract: The purposes of this research are to make comparisons in
respect of the behaviors on the use of the services of metered taxi
classified by the demographic factor and to study the influence of the
recognition on service quality having the effect on usage behaviors of
metered taxi services of consumers in Bangkok Metropolitan Areas. The
samples used in this research were 400 metered taxi service users in
Bangkok Metropolitan Areas and questionnaire was used as the tool for
collecting the data. Analysis statistics are mean and multiple regression
analysis. Results of the research revealed that the consumers recognize the
overall quality of services in each aspect include tangible aspects of the
service, responses to customers, assurance on the confidence,
understanding and knowing of customers which is rated at the moderate
level except the aspect of the assurance on the confidence and
trustworthiness which are rated at a high level. For the result of
hypothetical test, it is found that the quality in providing the services on
the aspect of the assurance given to the customers has the effect on the
usage behaviors of metered taxi services and the aspect of the frequency
on the use of the services per month which in this connection. Such
variable can forecast at one point nine percent (1.9%). In addition, quality
in providing the services and the aspect of the responses to customers
have the effect on the behaviors on the use of metered taxi services on the
aspect of the expenses on the use of services per month which in this
connection, such variable can forecast at two point one percent (2.1%).
Abstract: Laura Island, which is located about 50 km away from
downtown, is a source of water supply in Majuro atoll, which is the
capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Low and flat Majuro
atoll has neither river nor lake. It is very important for Majuro atoll to
ensure the conservation of its water resources. However, upconing,
which is the process of partial rising of the freshwater-saltwater
boundary near the water-supply well, was caused by the excess
pumping from it during the severe drought in 1998. Upconing will
make the water usage of the freshwater lens difficult. Thus,
appropriate water usage is required to prevent up coning in the
freshwater lens because there is no other water source during drought. Numerical simulation of water usage applying SEAWAT model
was conducted at the central part of Laura Island, including the water
supply well, which was affected by upconing. The freshwater lens was
created as a result of infiltration of consistent average rainfall. The lens
shape was almost the same as the one in 1985. 0 of monthly rainfall
and variable daily pump discharge were used to calculate the
sustainable pump discharge from the water supply well. Consequently,
the total amount of pump discharge was increased as the daily pump
discharge was increased, indicating that it needs more time to recover
from upconing. Thus, a pump standard to reduce the pump intensity is
being proposed, which is based on numerical simulation concerning
the occurrence of the up-coning phenomenon in Laura Island during
the drought.
Abstract: This study investigates how the site specific traffic
data differs from the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design
Software default values. Two Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) stations were
installed in Interstate-40 (I-40) and Interstate-25 (I-25) to developed
site specific data. A computer program named WIM Data Analysis
Software (WIMDAS) was developed using Microsoft C-Sharp (.Net)
for quality checking and processing of raw WIM data. A complete
year data from November 2013 to October 2014 was analyzed using
the developed WIM Data Analysis Program. After that, the vehicle
class distribution, directional distribution, lane distribution, monthly
adjustment factor, hourly distribution, axle load spectra, average
number of axle per vehicle, axle spacing, lateral wander distribution,
and wheelbase distribution were calculated. Then a comparative
study was done between measured data and AASHTOWare default
values. It was found that the measured general traffic inputs for I-40
and I-25 significantly differ from the default values.
Abstract: Increase of emergency incidents and crisis situations
requires proactive crisis management of authorities and for its
solution. Application Business Continuity Management helps the
crisis management authorities to quickly and responsibly respond to
threats. It also helps effectively and efficiently planning powers and
resources. The main goal of this article is describing Military
Continuity Management System (MCMS) based on the principles of
Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) for dealing with
floods in the territory of the selected municipalities. There are
explained steps of loading, running and evaluating activities in the
software application MCMS. Software MCMS provides complete
control over the tasks, contribute a comprehensive and responsible
approach solutions to solution floods in the municipality.
Abstract: Ensuring of continuity of business is basic strategy of
every company. Continuity of organization activities includes
comprehensive procedures that help in solving unexpected situations
of natural and anthropogenic character (for example flood, blaze,
economic situations). Planning of continuity operations is a process
that helps identify critical processes and implement plans for the
security and recovery of key processes. The aim of this article is to
demonstrate application of system approach to managing business
continuity called business continuity management systems in military
issues. This article describes the life cycle of business continuity
management which is based on the established cycle PDCA (Plan-
Do-Check-Act). After this is carried out by activities which are
making by University of Defence during activation of forces and
means of the integrated rescue system in case of emergencies -
accidents at a nuclear power plant in Czech Republic. Activities of
various stages of deployment earmarked forces and resources are
managed and evaluated by using MCMS application (Military
Continuity Management System).
Abstract: Now, the use of renewable energy power generation
has been advanced. In this paper, we compared the usable amount of
resource for photovoltaic power generation which was estimated using
the NEDO formula and the expansion support policy of photovoltaic
power generation which was researched using Internet in the
municipality level in Hokkaido and Aichi Prefecture, Japan. This
paper will contribute to grasp the current situation especially about the
policy. As a result, there were municipalities which seemed to be no
consideration of fitting the amount of resources. We think it would
need to consider the suitability between the resources and policies.
Abstract: Project Portfolio Management (PPM) is an essential
component of an organisation’s strategic procedures, which requires
attention of several factors to envisage a range of long-term outcomes
to support strategic project portfolio decisions. To evaluate overall
efficiency at the portfolio level, it is essential to identify the
functionality of specific projects as well as to aggregate those
findings in a mathematically meaningful manner that indicates the
strategic significance of the associated projects at a number of levels
of abstraction. PPM success is directly associated with the quality of
decisions made and poor judgment increases portfolio costs. Hence,
various Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques have
been designed and employed to support the decision-making
functions. This paper reviews possible options to enhance the
decision-making outcomes in organisational portfolio management
processes using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) both from
academic and practical perspectives and will examine the usability,
certainty and quality of the technique. The results of the study will
also provide insight into the technical risk associated with current
decision-making model to underpin initiative tracking and strategic
portfolio management.
Abstract: The power electronic components within Electric Vehicles (EV) need to operate in several important modes. Some modes directly influence safety, while others influence vehicle performance. Given the variety of functions and operational modes required of the power electronics, it needs to meet efficiency requirements to minimize power losses. Another challenge in the control and construction of such systems is the ability to support bidirectional power flow. This paper considers the construction, operation, and feasibility of available converters for electric vehicles with feasible configurations of electrical buses and loads. This paper describes logic and control signals for the converters for different operations conditions based on the efficiency and energy usage bases.
Abstract: The transesterification of dimethyl malonate (DMM)
with phenol has been studied in vapour phase over cordierite
honeycomb coated with solid acid catalysts such as ZrO2,
Mo(VI)/ZrO2 and SO42-/ZrO2. The catalytic materials were prepared
honeycomb coated, powder forms, and characterized for their total
surface acidity by NH3-TPD and crystalinity by powder XRD
methods. Phenyl methyl malonate (PMM) and diphenyl malonate
(DPM) were obtained as the reaction products. A good conversion of
DMM (up to 82%) of MPM with 95% selectivity was observed when
the reactions were carried out at a catalyst bed temperature of 200 °C
and flow-rate of 10 mL/h in presence of Mo(VI)/ZrO2 as catalyst.
However, over SO4^2-/ZrO2 catalyst, the yield of DPM was found to be
higher. The results have been interpreted based on the variation of
acidic properties and powder XRD phases of zirconia on
incorporation of Mo(VI) or SO42– ions. Transesterification reactions
were also carried out over powder forms of the catalytic materials
and the yield of the desired phenyl ester products were compared
with that of the HC coated catalytic materials. The solid acids were
found to be reusable when used for at least 5 reaction cycles.
Abstract: The application of ESS (Energy Storage Systems) in
the future grids has been the solution of the microgrid. However, high
investment costs necessitate accurate modeling and control strategy of
ESS to justify its economic viability and further underutilization.
Therefore, the reasonable control strategy for ESS which is subjected
to generator and usage helps to curtail the cost of investment and
operation costs. The rated frequency in power system is decreased
when the load is increasing unexpectedly; hence the thermal power is
operated at the capacity of only its 95% for the Governor Free (GF) to
adjust the frequency as reserve (5%) in practice. The ESS can be
utilized with governor at the same time for the frequency response due
to characteristic of its fast response speed and moreover, the cost of
ESS is declined rapidly to the reasonable price. This paper presents the
ESS control strategy to extend usage of the ESS taken account into
governor’s ramp rate and reduce the governor’s intervention as well.
All results in this paper are simulated by MATLAB.
Abstract: To maintain a healthy balanced loyalty, whether to art
or society, posits a debatable issue. The artist is always on the look
out for the potential tension between those two realms. Therefore,
one of the most painful dilemmas the artist finds is how to function in
a society without sacrificing the aesthetic values of his/her work. In
other words, the life-long awareness of failure which derives from the
concept of the artist as caught between unflattering social realities
and the need to invent genuine art forms becomes a fertilizing soil for
the artists to be tackled. Thus, within the framework of this dilemma,
the question of the responsibility of the artist and the relationship of
the art to politics will be illuminating. To a larger extent, however, in
drama, this dilemma is represented by the fictional characters of the
play. The present paper tackles the idea of the amorality of the artist in
selected plays by Tom Stoppard. However, Stoppard’s awareness of
his situation as a refugee has led him to keep at a distance from
politics. He tried hard to avoid any intervention into the realms of
political debate, especially in his earliest work. On the one hand, it is
not meant that he did not interest in politics as such, but rather he
preferred to question it than to create a fixed ideological position. On
the other hand, Stoppard’s refusal to intervene in politics is ascribed
to his feeling of gratitude to Britain where he settled. As a result,
Stoppard has frequently been criticized for a lack of political
engagement and also for not leaning too much for the left when he
does engage. His reaction to these public criticisms finds expression
in his self-conscious statements which defensively stressed the
artifice of his work. He, like Oscar Wilde thinks that the
responsibility of the artist is devoted to the realm of his/her art.
Consequently, his consciousness for the role of the artist is truly
reflected in his two plays, Artist Descending a Staircase (1972) and
Travesties (1974).
Abstract: Steel extended end plate bolted connections are
recommended to be widely utilized in special moment-resisting frame
subjected to monotonic loading. Improper design of steel beam to
column connection can lead to the collapse and fatality of structures.
Therefore comprehensive research studies of beam to column
connection design should be carried out. Also the performance and
effect of corrugated on the strength of beam column end plate
connection up to failure under monotonic loading in horizontal
direction is presented in this paper. The non-linear elastic–plastic
behavior has been considered through a finite element analysis using
the multi-purpose software package LUSAS. The effect of vertically
and horizontally types of corrugated web was also investigated.
Abstract: Nature constantly changes as a result of human
necessities. This change mostly feels in natural water sources which
are reconstructed with an effect of dams and motorways. In other
respects, visual quality of the landscape gets a new and different
character during and after the construction of dams and motorways.
Changing and specialization new landscapes will be very important
to protection-usage balance to explore sustainable usage facilities.
The main cause of the selection of Artvin city is that it has very
important geographical location and one of the most attraction points
in the World with its biodiversity, conservation areas and natural
landscape characteristics. Many hydroelectric station and 7 dams are
situated, 3 of them have already been built on the Çoruh River in the
province of Artvin. As a result of dams, motorways route were reshaped
and the ways which have already changed because of
elevation is directly affected several of natural destruction. In
contrast, many different reservoirs in Coruh Basin provide new vista
point that has high visual quality. In this study, we would like to
evaluate with sustainable landscape design in 76 km river corridor,
which is mainly based on Deriner, Borçka and Muratlı Dams and
determination of their basin-lakes recreational potential and
opportunities. Lastly, we are going to give some suggestion about the
potential of the corridor.
Abstract: According to IR, 13C and 1H NMR, APT, 1D NOE,
2D heteronuclear 1H/13C HSQC and 2D DOSY experiments the main
chemical constituent of high-molecular preparations from Symphytum
asperum, S. caucasicum, S. officinale and Anchusa italica
(Boraginaceae) was found to be caffeic acid-derived polyether,
namely poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric acid] (PDPGA) or
poly[oxy-1-carboxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylene]. Most
carboxylic groups of this polymer of A. italica are methylated.
Abstract: Background: Maintaining the correct body balance is
essential in the prevention of falls in the elderly, which is especially
important for women because of postmenopausal osteoporosis and
the serious consequences of falls. One of the exercise methods which
is very popular among adults, and which may affect body balance in
the positive way is the Pilates method. The aim of the study was to
evaluate the effect of regular Pilates exercises on the ability to
maintain body balance in static conditions in adult healthy women.
Material and methods: The study group consisted of 20 healthy
women attending Pilates twice a week for at least 1 year. The control
group consisted of 20 healthy women physically inactive. Women in
the age range from 35 to 50 years old without pain in musculoskeletal
system or other pain were only qualified to the groups. Body balance
was assessed using MatScan VersaTek platform with Sway Analysis
Module based on Matscan Clinical 6.7 software (Tekscan Inc.,
U.S.A). The balance was evaluated under the following conditions:
standing on both feet with eyes open, standing on both feet with eyes
closed, one-leg standing (separately on the right and left foot) with
eyes open. Each test lasted 30 seconds. The following parameters
were calculated: estimated size of the ellipse of 95% confidence, the
distance covered by the Center of Gravity (COG), the size of the
maximum shift in the sagittal and frontal planes and load distribution
between the left and right foot, as well as between rear- and forefoot.
Results: It was found that there is significant difference between the
groups in favor of the study group in the size of the confidence
ellipse and maximum shifts of COG in the sagittal plane during
standing on both feet, both with the eyes open and closed (p