Abstract: The flow of a third grade fluid in an orthogonal rheometer is studied. We employ the admissible velocity field proposed in [5]. We solve the problem and obtain the velocity field as well as the components for the Cauchy tensor. We compare the results with those from [9]. Some diagrams concerning the velocity and Cauchy stress components profiles are presented for different values of material constants and compared with the corresponding values for a linear viscous fluid.
Abstract: In this article, we propose an Intelligent Medical
Diagnostic System (IMDS) accessible through common
web-based interface, to on-line perform initial screening for
osteoporosis. The fundamental approaches which construct the
proposed system are mainly based on the fuzzy-neural theory,
which can exhibit superiority over other conventional technologies
in many fields. In diagnosis process, users simply answer
a series of directed questions to the system, and then they
will immediately receive a list of results which represents the
risk degrees of osteoporosis. According to clinical testing results,
it is shown that the proposed system can provide the general
public or even health care providers with a convenient, reliable,
inexpensive approach to osteoporosis risk assessment.
Abstract: Energy efficient protocol design is the aim of current
researches in the area of sensor networks where limited power
resources impose energy conservation considerations. In this paper
we care for Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols and after an
extensive literature review, two adaptive schemes are discussed. Of
them, adaptive-rate MACs which were introduced for throughput
enhancement show the potency to save energy, even more than
adaptive-power schemes. Then we propose an allocation algorithm
for getting accurate and reliable results. Through a simulation study
we validated our claim and showed the power saving of adaptive-rate
protocols.
Abstract: This paper discusses the issues and challenge that
academia faced in knowledge sharing at a research university in
Malaysia. The partial results of interview are presented from the
actual study. The main issues in knowledge sharing practices are
university structure and designation and title. The academia
awareness in sharing knowledge is also influenced by culture. Our
investigation highlight that the concept of reciprocal relationship of
sharing knowledge may hinder knowledge sharing awareness among
academia. Hence, we concluded that further investigation could be
carried out on the social interaction and trust culture among academia
in sharing knowledge within research/ranking university
environment.
Abstract: KREISIG is a computer simulation program, firstly developed by Munawar (1994) in Germany to optimize signalized roundabout. The traffic movement is based on the car following theory. Turbine method has been implemented for signal setting. The program has then been further developed in Indonesia to meet the traffic characteristics in Indonesia by adjusting the sensitivity of the drivers. Trial and error method has been implemented to adjust the saturation flow. The saturation flow output has also been compared to the calculation method according to 1997 Indonesian Highway Capacity Manual. It has then been implemented to optimize signalized roundabout at Kleringan roundabout in Malioboro area, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is found that this method can optimize the signal setting of this roundabout. Therefore, it is recommended to use this program to optimize signalized roundabout.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study aimed at
establishing the temperature distribution during the welding of
magnesium alloy sheets by Pulsed Current Gas Tungsten Arc
Welding (PCGTAW) and Constant Current Gas Tungsten Arc
Welding (CCGTAW) processes. Pulsing of the GTAW welding
current influences the dimensions and solidification rate of the fused
zone, it also reduces the weld pool volume hence a narrower bead. In
this investigation, the base material considered was 2mm thin AZ 31
B magnesium alloy, which is finding use in aircraft, automobile and
high-speed train components. A finite element analysis was carried
out using ANSYS, and the results of the FEA were compared with
the experimental results. It is evident from this study that the finite
element analysis using ANSYS can be effectively used to model
PCGTAW process for finding temperature distribution.
Abstract: In this study we investigate the insertion of
pioglitazone, a Thiazolidinedione, into the two different sizes of
Carbon nanotub. It was shown that the insertion of pioglitazone into
the carbon nanotube in a water solute environment could be related
to the diameter of the nanotube and in the flow of the waters via
hydrophilic interactions. This encapsulated drug-carbon nanotube
molecule can be further applicable in other investigations in target
therapy with these agents regarding to reduce their potential toxic
effects.
Abstract: The mosaicing technique has been employed in more and more application fields, from entertainment to scientific ones. In the latter case, often the final evaluation is still left to human beings, that assess visually the quality of the mosaic. Many times, a lack of objective measurements in microscopic mosaicing may prevent the mosaic from being used as a starting image for further analysis. In this work we analyze three different metrics and indexes, in the domain of signal analysis, image analysis and visual quality, to measure the quality of different aspects of the mosaicing procedure, such as registration errors and visual quality. As the case study we consider the mosaicing algorithm we developed. The experiments have been carried out by considering mosaics with very different features: histological samples, that are made of detailed and contrasted images, and live stem cells, that show a very low contrast and low detail levels.
Abstract: A concrete structure is designed and constructed for its
purpose of use, and is expected to maintain its function for the target
durable years from when it was planned. Nevertheless, as time elapses
the structure gradually deteriorates and then eventually degrades to the
point where the structure cannot exert the function for which it was
planned. The performance of concrete that is able to maintain the level
of the performance required over the designed period of use as it has
less deterioration caused by the elapse of time under the designed
condition is referred to as Durability. There are a number of causes of
durability degradation, but especially chloride damage, carbonation,
freeze-thaw, etc are the main causes. In this study, carbonation, one of
the main causes of deterioration of the durability of a concrete
structure, was investigated via a microstructure analysis technique.
The method for the measurement of carbonation was studied using the
existing indicator method, and the method of measuring the progress
of carbonation in a quantitative manner was simultaneously studied
using a FT-IR (Fourier-Transform Infrared) Spectrometer along with
the microstructure analysis technique.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the development of Szuchung Creek take for the cause of the critical success factors, This research is to use the depth interviews, document analysis and Modified-Delphi technique survey of nine depth interviews with experts and 14 experts of Modified-Delphi technique questionnaire and inviting as the research object, Szuchung Creek Hot Springs for the scope of the study. The results show, Szuchung Creek Hot Springs development take for career success factors for the following reasons: 1. Government. 2. Opportunities. 3. Factors of production. 4. Demand conditions. 5. Corporate structure and the degree of competition. 6. Related and supporting industries. Furthermore, Szuchung Creek hot springs, itself already has a number of critical success factors. Contingent less than or inadequacies by Szuchung Creek take for the enterprise development to take for the cause of the critical success factors as the basis for correcting, planning out for local use improvement strategies to achieve the objective of sustainable management.
Abstract: The production of a plant can be measured in terms of
seeds. The generation of seeds plays a critical role in our social and
daily life. The fruit production which generates seeds, depends on the
various parameters of the plant, such as shoot length, leaf number,
root length, root number, etc When the plant is growing, some leaves
may be lost and some new leaves may appear. It is very difficult to
use the number of leaves of the tree to calculate the growth of the
plant.. It is also cumbersome to measure the number of roots and
length of growth of root in several time instances continuously after
certain initial period of time, because roots grow deeper and deeper
under ground in course of time. On the contrary, the shoot length of
the tree grows in course of time which can be measured in different
time instances. So the growth of the plant can be measured using the
data of shoot length which are measured at different time instances
after plantation. The environmental parameters like temperature, rain
fall, humidity and pollution are also play some role in production of
yield. The soil, crop and distance management are taken care to
produce maximum amount of yields of plant. The data of the growth
of shoot length of some mustard plant at the initial stage (7,14,21 &
28 days after plantation) is available from the statistical survey by a
group of scientists under the supervision of Prof. Dilip De. In this
paper, initial shoot length of Ken( one type of mustard plant) has
been used as an initial data. The statistical models, the methods of
fuzzy logic and neural network have been tested on this mustard
plant and based on error analysis (calculation of average error) that
model with minimum error has been selected and can be used for the
assessment of shoot length at maturity. Finally, all these methods
have been tested with other type of mustard plants and the particular
soft computing model with the minimum error of all types has been
selected for calculating the predicted data of growth of shoot length.
The shoot length at the stage of maturity of all types of mustard
plants has been calculated using the statistical method on the
predicted data of shoot length.
Abstract: This paper presents a new heuristic algorithm useful
for long-term planning of survivable WDM networks. A multi-period
model is formulated that combines network topology design and
capacity expansion. The ability to determine network expansion
schedules of this type becomes increasingly important to the
telecommunications industry and to its customers. The solution
technique consists of a Genetic Algorithm that allows generating
several network alternatives for each time period simultaneously and
shortest-path techniques to deduce from these alternatives a least-cost
network expansion plan over all time periods. The multi-period
planning approach is illustrated on a realistic network example.
Extensive simulations on a wide range of problem instances are
carried out to assess the cost savings that can be expected by
choosing a multi-period planning approach instead of an iterative
network expansion design method.
Abstract: Maintenance is one of the most important activities in
the shipyard industry. However, sometimes it is not supported by
adequate services from the shipyard, where inaccuracy in estimating
the duration of the ship maintenance is still common. This makes
estimation of ship maintenance duration is crucial. This study uses
Data Mining approach, i.e., CART (Classification and Regression
Tree) to estimate the duration of ship maintenance that is limited to
dock works or which is known as dry docking. By using the volume
of dock works as an input to estimate the maintenance duration, 4
classes of dry docking duration were obtained with different linear
model and job criteria for each class. These linear models can then be
used to estimate the duration of dry docking based on job criteria.
Abstract: The daily growing use of agents in software environments, because of many reasons such as independence and intelligence is not a secret anymore. One of such environments in which there is a prominent job for the agents would be emarketplaces in which a user is able to give those agents the responsibility of buying and selling, instead of searching the emarketplace himself. Making up a framework which has sufficient attention to the required roles and their relations, is the first step of achieving such e-markets. In this paper, we suggest a framework in order to establish such e-markets and we will continue investigating the roles such as seller or buyer and the relations in JADE environment in details.
Abstract: Flour from Mucuna beans (Mucuna pruriens) were
used in producing texturized meat analogue using a single screw
extruder to monitor modifications on the proximate composition and
the functional properties at high moisture level. Response surface
methodology based on Box Behnken design at three levels of barrel
temperature (110, 120, 130°C), screw speed (100,120,140rpm) and
feed moisture (44, 47, 50%) were used in 17 runs. Regression models
describing the effect of variables on the product responses were
obtained. Descriptive profile analyses and consumer acceptability
test were carried out on optimized flavoured extruded meat analogue.
Responses were mostly affected by barrel temperature and moisture
level and to a lesser extent by screw speed. Optimization results
based on desirability concept indicated that a barrel temperature of
120.15°C, feed moisture of 47% and screw speed of 119.19 rpm
would produce meat analogue of preferable proximate composition,
functional and sensory properties which reveals consumers` likeness
for the product.
Abstract: In this study, a new and fast algorithm for Ascending
Aorta (AscA) and Descending Aorta (DesA) segmentation is
presented using Computed Tomography Angiography images. This
process is quite important especially at the detection of aortic
plaques, aneurysms, calcification or stenosis. The applied method has
been carried out at four steps. At first step, lung segmentation is
achieved. At the second one, Mediastinum Region (MR) is detected
to use in the segmentation. At the third one, images have been
applied optimal threshold and components which are outside of the
MR were removed. Lastly, identifying and segmentation of AscA and
DesA have been carried out. The performance of the applied method
is found quite well for radiologists and it gives enough results to the
surgeries medically.
Abstract: Interest in Human Consciousness has been revived in the late 20th century from different scientific disciplines. Consciousness studies involve both its understanding and its application. In this paper, a computational model of the minimum consciousness functions necessary in my point of view for Artificial Intelligence applications is presented with the aim of improving the way computations will be made in the future. In section I, human consciousness is briefly described according to the scope of this paper. In section II, a minimum set of consciousness functions is defined - based on the literature reviewed - to be modelled, and then a computational model of these functions is presented in section III. In section IV, an analysis of the model is carried out to describe its functioning in detail.
Abstract: In order to provide and maintain effective pedagogy for the burgeoning virtual reality community, it is vital to have trained faculty in the institutions of higher education who will teach these courses and be able to make full use of their academic knowledge and expertise. As the number of online courses continues to grow, there is a need for these institutions to establish mentoring programs that will support the novice online instructor. The environment in which this takes place and the factors that ensure its success are critical to the adoption of the new instructional delivery format taught by both seasoned educators and adjunct instructors. Effective one-on-one mentoring promotes a professional, compassionate and collegial faculty who will provide a consistent and rigorous academic program for students online.
Abstract: The Improved Generalized Diversity Index (IGDI)
has been proposed as a tool that can be used to identify areas that
have high conservation value and measure the ecological condition of
an area. IGDI is based on the species relative abundances. This paper
is concerned with particular attention is given to comparisons
involving the MacArthur model of species abundances. The
properties and performance of various species indices were assessed.
Both IGDI and species richness increased with sampling area
according to a power function. IGDI were also found to be acceptable
ecological indicators of conditions and consistently outperformed
coefficient of conservatism indices.
Abstract: The liberalization and privatization processes have
forced public utility companies to face new competitive challenges,
implementing strategies to gain market share and, at the same time,
keep the old customers. To this end, many companies have carried
out mergers, acquisitions and conglomerations in order to diversify
their business. This paper focuses on companies operating in the free
energy market in Italy. In the last decade, this sector has undergone
profound changes that have radically changed the competitive
scenario and have led companies to implement diversification
strategies of the business. Our work aims to evaluate the economic
and financial performances obtained by energy companies, following
the beginning of the liberalization process, verifying the possible
relationship with the implemented diversification strategies.