Abstract: Integral Abutment Bridges (IAB) are defined as
simple or multiple span bridges in which the bridge deck is cast
monolithically with the abutment walls. This kind of bridges are
becoming very popular due to different aspects such as good
response under seismic loading, low initial costs, elimination of
bearings, and less maintenance. However the main issue related to
the analysis of this type of structures is dealing with soil-structure
interaction of the abutment walls and the supporting piles. Various
soil constitutive models have been used in studies of soil-structure
interaction in this kind of structures by researchers. This paper is an
effort to review the implementation of various finite elements model
which explicitly incorporates the nonlinear soil and linear structural
response considering various soil constitutive models and finite
element mesh.
Abstract: After the development of the Internet a suitable
discipline for trading goods electronically has been emerged.
However, this type of markets is not still mature enough in order to
become independent and get closer to seller/buyer-s needs.
Furthermore, the buyable and sellable goods in these markets still
don-t have essential standards for being well-defined. In this paper,
we will present a model for development of a market which can
contain goods with variable definitions and we will also investigate
its characteristics. Besides, by noticing the fact that people have
different discriminations, it-s figured out that the significance of each
attribute of a specific product may vary from different people-s view
points. Consequently we-ll present a model for weighting and
accordingly different people-s view points could be satisfied. These
two aspects will be discussed completely throughout this paper.
Abstract: An IEC technique is described for a multi-objective
search of conceptual solutions. The survivability of solutions is
influenced by both model-based fitness and subjective human
preferences. The concepts- preferences are articulated via a hierarchy
of sub-concepts. The suggested method produces an objectivesubjective
front. Academic example is employed to demonstrate the
proposed approach.
Abstract: In this study, the density dependent nonlinear reactiondiffusion
equation, which arises in the insect dispersal models, is
solved using the combined application of differential quadrature
method(DQM) and implicit Euler method. The polynomial based
DQM is used to discretize the spatial derivatives of the problem. The
resulting time-dependent nonlinear system of ordinary differential
equations(ODE-s) is solved by using implicit Euler method. The
computations are carried out for a Cauchy problem defined by a onedimensional
density dependent nonlinear reaction-diffusion equation
which has an exact solution. The DQM solution is found to be in a
very good agreement with the exact solution in terms of maximum
absolute error. The DQM solution exhibits superior accuracy at large
time levels tending to steady-state. Furthermore, using an implicit
method in the solution procedure leads to stable solutions and larger
time steps could be used.
Abstract: Among the most fundamental prerequisites for the successful development of electronic Government Services (e- Government) is Citizen Acceptance. Based on the UTAUT model, the paper describes a hypothetical framework that integrates the unique features of E- government to improve our understanding of the acceptance and usage of e-Government Saudi Arabia. The proposed model, based on UTAUT, includes the characteristics of Egovernment, consideration and inclusion of trust, privacy, and Saudi culture and context.
Abstract: "Bazaar" is a Persian word from the language of Iranians of 2500 years ago which has entered the languages of other countries. “Bazaar", the trading or marketing place with the architectural principles and concerns, was formed in Iran because of the long experience of marketing. This has become a valuable inheritance of Islamic ideological civilization and Iranian advanced architecture and a model of Islamic-marketing places with spectacular elements and parts, and the place for economical, social and cultural exchanges. “Bazaars" are found in cities of Iran and many Islamic countries in west of Asia and north of Africa. With the stable structure and function as a symbol of social values, this place has become the economic center and the illustration of stable architecture and advanced principles. “Bazaars" as the heart of Iranian cities economy with several major and minor rows of shops, in closed and open areas, along a fixed line or branches with beautiful arcs, patios, and frameworks are among the main national inheritance of Iran and one of the important Iranian architectural treasures because of its Iranian nobility.
Abstract: Protein residue contact map is a compact
representation of secondary structure of protein. Due to the
information hold in the contact map, attentions from researchers in
related field were drawn and plenty of works have been done
throughout the past decade. Artificial intelligence approaches have
been widely adapted in related works such as neural networks,
genetic programming, and Hidden Markov model as well as support
vector machine. However, the performance of the prediction was not
generalized which probably depends on the data used to train and
generate the prediction model. This situation shown the importance
of the features or information used in affecting the prediction
performance. In this research, support vector machine was used to
predict protein residue contact map on different combination of
features in order to show and analyze the effectiveness of the
features.
Abstract: This paper proposes an efficient method to classify
inverse synthetic aperture (ISAR) images. Because ISAR images can
be translated and rotated in the 2-dimensional image place, invariance
to the two factors is indispensable for successful classification. The
proposed method achieves invariance to translation and rotation of
ISAR images using a combination of two-dimensional Fourier
transform, polar mapping and correlation-based alignment of the
image. Classification is conducted using a simple matching score
classifier. In simulations using the real ISAR images of five scaled
models measured in a compact range, the proposed method yields
classification ratios higher than 97 %.
Abstract: This paper features the proposed modeling and design
of a Robust Decentralized Periodic Output Feedback (RDPOF)
control technique for the active vibration control of smart flexible
multimodel Euler-Bernoulli cantilever beams for a multivariable
(MIMO) case by retaining the first 6 vibratory modes. The beam
structure is modeled in state space form using the concept of
piezoelectric theory, the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and the Finite
Element Method (FEM) technique by dividing the beam into 4 finite
elements and placing the piezoelectric sensor / actuator at two finite
element locations (positions 2 and 4) as collocated pairs, i.e., as
surface mounted sensor / actuator, thus giving rise to a multivariable
model of the smart structure plant with two inputs and two outputs.
Five such multivariable models are obtained by varying the
dimensions (aspect ratios) of the aluminum beam, thus giving rise to
a multimodel of the smart structure system. Using model order
reduction technique, the reduced order model of the higher order
system is obtained based on dominant eigen value retention and the
method of Davison. RDPOF controllers are designed for the above 5
multivariable-multimodel plant. The closed loop responses with the
RDPOF feedback gain and the magnitudes of the control input are
observed and the performance of the proposed multimodel smart
structure system with the controller is evaluated for vibration control.
Abstract: In a handwriting recognition problem, characters can
be represented using chain codes. The main problem in representing
characters using chain code is optimizing the length of the chain
code. This paper proposes to use randomized algorithm to minimize
the length of Freeman Chain Codes (FCC) generated from isolated
handwritten characters. Feedforward neural network is used in the
classification stage to recognize the image characters. Our test results
show that by applying the proposed model, we reached a relatively
high accuracy for the problem of isolated handwritten when tested on
NIST database.
Abstract: In this paper we proposed a novel method to acquire
the ROI (Region of interest) of unsupervised and touch-less palmprint
captured from a web camera in real-time. We use Viola-Jones
approach and skin model to get the target area in real time. Then an
innovative course-to-fine approach to detect the key points on the hand
is described. A new algorithm is used to find the candidate key points
coarsely and quickly. In finely stage, we verify the hand key points
with the shape context descriptor. To make the user much comfortable,
it can process the hand image with different poses, even the hand is
closed. Experiments show promising result by using the proposed
method in various conditions.
Abstract: Non-uniform current distribution in polymer
electrolyte membrane fuel cells results in local over-heating,
accelerated ageing, and lower power output than expected. This
issue is very critical when fuel cell experiences water flooding. In
this work, the performance of a PEM fuel cell is investigated under
cathode flooding conditions. Two-dimensional partially flooded
GDL models based on the conservation laws and electrochemical
relations are proposed to study local current density distributions
along flow fields over a wide range of cell operating conditions.
The model results show a direct association between cathode inlet
humidity increases and that of average current density but the
system becomes more sensitive to flooding. The anode inlet
relative humidity shows a similar effect. Operating the cell at
higher temperatures would lead to higher average current densities
and the chance of system being flooded is reduced. In addition,
higher cathode stoichiometries prevent system flooding but the
average current density remains almost constant. The higher anode
stoichiometry leads to higher average current density and higher
sensitivity to cathode flooding.
Abstract: Quantitative methods of economic decision-making as
the methodological base of the so called operational research
represent an important set of tools for managing complex economic
systems,both at the microeconomic level and on the macroeconomic
scale. Mathematical models of controlled and controlling processes
allow, by means of artificial experiments, obtaining information
foroptimalor optimum approaching managerial decision-making.The
quantitative methods of economic decision-making usually include a
methodology known as structural analysis -an analysisof
interdisciplinary production-consumption relations.
Abstract: Rainfall records of rainfall station including the
rainfall potential per hour and rainfall mass of five heavy storms are
explored, respectively from 2001 to 2010. The rationalization formula
is to investigate the capability of flood peak duration of flood
detention pond in different rainfall conditions. The stable flood
detention model is also proposed by using system dynamic control
theory to get the message of flood detention pond in this research.
When rainfall frequency of one hour rainfall duration is more than
100-year frequency which exceeds the flood detention standard of
20-year frequency for the flood detention pond, the flood peak
duration of flood detention pond is 1.7 hours at most even though the
flood detention pond with maximum drainage potential about 15.0
m3/s of pumping system is constructed. If the rainfall peak current is
more than maximum drainage potential, the flood peak duration of
flood detention pond is about 1.9 hours at most. The flood detention
pond is the key factor of stable drainage control and flood prevention.
The critical factors of flood disaster is not only rainfall mass, but also
rainfall frequency of heavy storm in different rainfall duration and
flood detention frequency of flood detention system.
Abstract: Web services are pieces of software that can be invoked via a standardized protocol. They can be combined via formalized taskflow languages. The Open Knowledge system is a fully distributed system using P2P technology, that allows users to publish the setaskflows, and programmers to register their web services or publish implementations of them, for the roles described in these workflows.Besides this, the system offers the functionality to select a peer that could coordinate such an interaction model and inform web services when it is their 'turn'. In this paper we describe the architecture and implementation of the Open Knowledge Kernel which provides the core functionality of the Open Knowledge system.
Abstract: Nowadays data backup format doesn-t cease to appear raising so the anxiety on their accessibility and their perpetuity. XML is one of the most promising formats to guarantee the integrity of data. This article suggests while showing one thing man can do with XML. Indeed XML will help to create a data backup model. The main task will consist in defining an application in JAVA able to convert information of a database in XML format and restore them later.
Abstract: Among neural models the Support Vector Machine
(SVM) solutions are attracting increasing attention, mostly because
they eliminate certain crucial questions involved by neural network
construction. The main drawback of standard SVM is its high
computational complexity, therefore recently a new technique, the
Least Squares SVM (LS–SVM) has been introduced. In this paper we
present an extended view of the Least Squares Support Vector
Regression (LS–SVR), which enables us to develop new
formulations and algorithms to this regression technique. Based on
manipulating the linear equation set -which embodies all information
about the regression in the learning process- some new methods are
introduced to simplify the formulations, speed up the calculations
and/or provide better results.
Abstract: This paper shows a traceability framework for supply risk monitoring, beginning with the identification, analysis, and evaluation of the supply chain risk and focusing on the supply operations of the Health Care Institutions with oncology services in Bogota, Colombia. It includes a brief presentation of the state of the art of the Supply Chain Risk Management and traceability systems in logistics operations, and it concludes with the methodology to integrate the SCRM model with the traceability system.
Abstract: Turbine blade cooling is considered as the most
effective way of maintaining high operating temperature making use
of the available materials, and turbine systems with wet compression
have a potential for future power generation because of high efficiency
and high specific power with a relatively low cost. In this paper
performance analysis of wet-compression gas turbine cycle with
turbine blade cooling is carried out. The wet compression process is
analytically modeled based on non-equilibrium droplet evaporation.
Special attention is paid for the effects of pressure ratio and water
injection ratio on the important system variables such as ratio of
coolant fluid flow, fuel consumption, thermal efficiency and specific
power. Parametric studies show that wet compression leads to
insignificant improvement in thermal efficiency but significant
enhancement of specific power in gas turbine systems with turbine
blade cooling.
Abstract: With previous studies that examined the importance
of functional store image and CSR, this study is aimed at examining
their effects in the self-congruity model in influencing store loyalty.
In particular, this study developed and tested a structural model in the
context of retailing industry on the self-congruity theory. Whilst
much of the self-congruity studies have incorporated functional store
image, there has been lack of studies that examined social
responsibility image of retail stores in the self-congruity studies.
Findings indicate that self-congruity influence on store loyalty was
mediated by both functional store image and social responsibility
image. In influencing store loyalty, the findings have shown that
social responsibility image has a stronger influence on store loyalty
than functional store image. This study offers important findings and
implications for future research as it presents a new framework on
the importance of social responsibility image.