Abstract: This paper discusses site selection process for
biological soil conservation planning. It was supported by a valuefocused
approach and spatial multi-criteria evaluation techniques. A
first set of spatial criteria was used to design a number of potential
sites. Next, a new set of spatial and non-spatial criteria was
employed, including the natural factors and the financial costs,
together with the degree of suitability for the Bonkuh watershed to
biological soil conservation planning and to recommend the most
acceptable program. The whole process was facilitated by a new
software tool that supports spatial multiple criteria evaluation, or
SMCE in GIS software (ILWIS). The application of this tool,
combined with a continual feedback by the public attentions, has
provided an effective methodology to solve complex decisional
problem in biological soil conservation planning.
Abstract: An alternative approach to the use of Discrete Fourier
Transform (DFT) for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) reconstruction
is the use of parametric modeling technique. This method
is suitable for problems in which the image can be modeled by
explicit known source functions with a few adjustable parameters.
Despite the success reported in the use of modeling technique as an
alternative MRI reconstruction technique, two important problems
constitutes challenges to the applicability of this method, these are
estimation of Model order and model coefficient determination. In
this paper, five of the suggested method of evaluating the model
order have been evaluated, these are: The Final Prediction Error
(FPE), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Residual Variance (RV),
Minimum Description Length (MDL) and Hannan and Quinn (HNQ)
criterion. These criteria were evaluated on MRI data sets based on the
method of Transient Error Reconstruction Algorithm (TERA). The
result for each criterion is compared to result obtained by the use of a
fixed order technique and three measures of similarity were evaluated.
Result obtained shows that the use of MDL gives the highest measure
of similarity to that use by a fixed order technique.
Abstract: This paper investigates the influence of various
parameters on the behaviour of water droplets on polymeric surfaces
under high electric fields. An inclined plane test was carried out to
understand the droplet behaviour in strong electric field. Parameters
such as water droplet conductivity, droplet volume, polymeric
surface roughness and droplet positioning with respect to the
electrodes were studied. The flashover voltage is affected by all
aforementioned parameters. The droplet positioning is in some cases
more vital than the droplet volume. Surface damages were analysed
using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies and by Energy
dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX). It is observes that magnitude of
discharge have direct influence on amount of surface da
Abstract: The paper is included within the framework of a
complex research program, which was initiated from the hypothesis
arguing on the existence of a correlation between pineal indolic and
peptide hormones and the somatic development rhythm, including
thus the epithalamium-epiphysis complex involvement. At birds,
pineal gland contains a circadian oscillator, playing a main role in the
temporal organization of the cerebral functions. The secretion of
pineal indolic hormones is characterized by a high endogenous
rhythmic alternation, modulated by the light/darkness (L/D)
succession and by temperature as well. The research has been carried
out using 100 chicken broilers - “Ross" commercial hybrid,
randomly allocated in two experimental batches: Lc batch, reared
under a 12L/12D lighting schedule and Lexp batch, which was photic
pinealectomised through continuous exposition to light (150 lux, 24
hours, 56 days). Chemical and physical features of the meat issued
from breast fillet and thighs muscles have been studied, determining
the dry matter, proteins, fat, collagen, salt content and pH value, as
well. Besides the variations of meat chemical composition in relation
with lighting schedule, other parameters have been studied: live
weight dynamics, feed intake and somatic development degree. The
achieved results became significant since chickens have 7 days of
age, some variations of the studied parameters being registered,
revealing that the pineal gland physiologic activity, in relation with
the lighting schedule, could be interpreted through the monitoring of
the somatic development technological parameters, usually studied
within the chicken broilers rearing aviculture practice.
Abstract: In this paper we present an energy efficient match-line
(ML) sensing scheme for high-speed ternary content-addressable
memory (TCAM). The proposed scheme isolates the sensing unit of
the sense amplifier from the large and variable ML capacitance. It
employs feedback in the sense amplifier to successfully detect a
match while keeping the ML voltage swing low. This reduced voltage
swing results in large energy saving. Simulation performed using
130nm 1.2V CMOS logic shows at least 30% total energy saving in
our scheme compared to popular current race (CR) scheme for
similar search speed. In terms of speed, dynamic energy, peak power
consumption and transistor count our scheme also shows better
performance than mismatch-dependant (MD) power allocation
technique which also employs feedback in the sense amplifier.
Additionally, the implementation of our scheme is simpler than CR
or MD scheme because of absence of analog control voltage and
programmable delay circuit as have been used in those schemes.
Abstract: Electricity market activities and a growing demand for electricity have led to heavily stressed power systems. This requires operation of the networks closer to their stability limits. Power system operation is affected by stability related problems, leading to unpredictable system behavior. Voltage stability refers to the ability of a power system to sustain appropriate voltage levels through large and small disturbances. Steady-state voltage stability is concerned with limits on the existence of steady-state operating points for the network. FACTS devices can be utilized to increase the transmission capacity, the stability margin and dynamic behavior or serve to ensure improved power quality. Their main capabilities are reactive power compensation, voltage control and power flow control. Among the FACTS controllers, Static Var Compensator (SVC) provides fast acting dynamic reactive compensation for voltage support during contingency events. In this paper, voltage stability assessment with appropriate representations of tap-changer transformers and SVC is investigated. Integrating both of these devices is the main topic of this paper. Effect of the presence of tap-changing transformers on static VAR compensator controller parameters and ratings necessary to stabilize load voltages at certain values are highlighted. The interrelation between transformer off nominal tap ratios and the SVC controller gains and droop slopes and the SVC rating are found. P-V curves are constructed to calculate loadability margins.
Abstract: Wireless Sensor Networks consist of small battery
powered devices with limited energy resources. once deployed, the
small sensor nodes are usually inaccessible to the user, and thus
replacement of the energy source is not feasible. Hence, One of the
most important issues that needs to be enhanced in order to improve
the life span of the network is energy efficiency. to overcome this
demerit many research have been done. The clustering is the one of
the representative approaches. in the clustering, the cluster heads
gather data from nodes and sending them to the base station. In this
paper, we introduce a dynamic clustering algorithm using genetic
algorithm. This algorithm takes different parameters into
consideration to increase the network lifetime. To prove efficiency of
proposed algorithm, we simulated the proposed algorithm compared
with LEACH algorithm using the matlab
Abstract: The adaptive backstepping controller for inverted pendulum is designed by using the general motion control model. Backstepping is a novel nonlinear control technique based on the Lyapunov design approach, used when higher derivatives of parameter estimation appear. For easy parameter adaptation, the mathematical model of the inverted pendulum converted into the motion control model. This conversion is performed by taking functions of unknown parameters and dynamics of the system. By using motion control model equations, inverted pendulum is simulated without any information about not only parameters but also measurable dynamics. Also these results are compare with the adaptive backstepping controller which extended with integral action that given from [1].
Abstract: Aiming the application of localized hyperthermia, a
magnetic induction system with new approaches is proposed. The techniques in this system for improving the effectiveness of localized hyperthermia are that using magnetic circuit and the multiple-coil array instead of a giant coil for generating magnetic field. Specially, amorphous metal is adopted as the material of magnetic circuit. Detail
design parameters of hardware are well described. Simulation tool is
employed for this work and experiment result is reported as well.
Abstract: This paper presents a general trainable framework
for fast and robust upright human face and non-human object
detection and verification in static images. To enhance the
performance of the detection process, the technique we develop is
based on the combination of fast neural network (FNN) and
classical neural network (CNN). In FNN, a useful correlation is
exploited to sustain high level of detection accuracy between input
image and the weight of the hidden neurons. This is to enable the
use of Fourier transform that significantly speed up the time
detection. The combination of CNN is responsible to verify the
face region. A bootstrap algorithm is used to collect non human
object, which adds the false detection to the training process of the
human and non-human object. Experimental results on test images
with both simple and complex background demonstrate that the
proposed method has obtained high detection rate and low false
positive rate in detecting both human face and non-human object.
Abstract: Ipomoea batatas (Sweetpotato) is currently ranked
sixth in the total world food production and are planted mainly for
their storage roots. The present study was undertaken to evaluate and
compare the antioxidant properties of the leaf and carotenoids extract
from the Ipomoea batatas var. Oren leaves. Total flavonoids in the
leaf extract was 144.6 ± 40.5 μg/g compared to 114.86 ± 4.35 μg/g
catechin equivalent in the carotenoids extract. Total polyphenols in
the leaf extracts (3.470 ± 0.024 GAE g/100g DW) was slightly higher
compared to carotenoids extract (2.994 ± 0.078 GAE g/100g DW).
The carotenoids extract marked a higher radical scavenging capacity
with the IC50= 491.86 μg/ml compared to leaf extract (IC50= 545.39
μg/ml). Concentration-dependent reducing activity was observed for
both extracts. Thus, the carotenoids extraction process retained most
of the antioxidant capacity from the leaves and can be made into
potential natural yellow dye with antioxidant property.
Abstract: The textural parameters, together with appearance and
flavor, are sensory attributes of great importance for the product to be
accepted by the consumer. The objective of the present study was the
evaluation of the textural attributes of Packhams pears in the fresh
state, after drying in a chamber with forced convection at 50ºC,
lyophilized and re-hydrated. In texture analysis it was used the
method of Texture Profile Analysis (TPA). The parameters analyzed
were hardness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, elasticity and chewiness.
From the results obtained is possible to see that the drying operation
greatly affected some textural properties of the pears, so that the
hardness diminished very much with drying, for both drying
methods.
Abstract: Coloured Petri net (CPN) has been widely adopted in various areas in Computer Science, including protocol specification, performance evaluation, distributed systems and coordination in multi-agent systems. It provides a graphical representation of a system and has a strong mathematical foundation for proving various properties. This paper proposes a novel representation of a coloured Petri net using an extension of logic programming called abductive logic programming (ALP), which is purely based on classical logic. Under such a representation, an implementation of a CPN could be directly obtained, in which every inference step could be treated as a kind of equivalence preserved transformation. We would describe how to implement a CPN under such a representation using common meta-programming techniques in Prolog. We call our framework CPN-LP and illustrate its applications in modeling an intelligent agent.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is applied Taguchi method on the optimization for PEMFC performance, and a representative Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is selectively performed for statistical analysis. The studied factors in this paper are pressure of fuel cell, operating temperature, the relative humidity of anode and cathode, porosity of gas diffusion electrode (GDE) and conductivity of GDE. The optimal combination for maximum power density is gained by using a three-level statistical method. The results confirmed that the robustness of the optimum design parameters influencing the performance of fuel cell are founded by pressure of fuel cell, 3atm; operating temperature, 353K; the relative humidity of anode, 50%; conductivity of GDE, 1000 S/m, but the relative humidity of cathode and porosity of GDE are pooled as error due to a small sum of squares. The present simulation results give designers the ideas ratify the effectiveness of the proposed robust design methodology for the performance of fuel cell.
Abstract: IPN and IPE sections, which are commonly used European I shapes, are widely used in steel structures as cantilever beams to support overhangs. A considerable number of studies exist on calculating lateral torsional buckling load of I sections. However, most of them provide series solutions or complex closed-form equations. In this paper, a simple equation is presented to calculate lateral torsional buckling load of IPN and IPE section cantilever beams. First, differential equation of lateral torsional buckling is solved numerically for various loading cases. Then a parametric study is conducted on results to present an equation for lateral torsional buckling load of European IPN and IPE beams. Finally, results obtained by presented equation are compared to differential equation solutions and finite element model results. ABAQUS software is utilized to generate finite element models of beams. It is seen that the results obtained from presented equation coincide with differential equation solutions and ABAQUS software results. It can be suggested that presented formula can be safely used to calculate critical lateral torsional buckling load of European IPN and IPE section cantilevers.
Abstract: Application of Information Technology (IT) has
revolutionized the functioning of business all over the world. Its
impact has been felt mostly among the information of dependent
industries. Tourism is one of such industry. The conceptual
framework in this study represents an innovation of travel
information searching system on mobile devices which is used as
tools to deliver travel information (such as hotels, restaurants, tourist
attractions and souvenir shops) for each user by travelers
segmentation based on data mining technique to segment the tourists-
behavior patterns then match them with tourism products and
services. This system innovation is designed to be a knowledge
incremental learning. It is a marketing strategy to support business to
respond traveler-s demand effectively.
Abstract: As a result of the high cost of housing, the increasing population is forced to live in substandard housing and unhealthy conditions giving rise to poor residential neighborhoods. The paper examines the causes and characteristics of poor residential neighborhood. The paper finds the problems that have influence poor neighborhoods to; poverty, growth of informal sector and housing shortage. The paper asserts that poor residential neighborhoods have adverse effects on the people.
The secondary data was obtained from books, journals and seminar papers while primary data relating to building and environmental quality from structured questionnaire administered on sample of 500 household heads, from sampling frame of 5000 housing units.
The study reveals that majority of the respondents are poor and employed in informal sector. The paper suggests urban renewal and slum upgrading programs as methods in dealing with the situation and an improvement in the socio-economic circumstances of the inhabitants.
Abstract: In this paper, the phase control antenna array synthesis
is presented. The problem is formulated as a constrained optimization
problem that imposes nulls with prescribed level while maintaining
the sidelobe at a prescribed level. For efficient use of the algorithm
memory, compared to the well known Particle Swarm Optimization
(PSO), the Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization (APSO) is used
to estimate the phase parameters of the synthesized array. The
objective function is formed using a main objective and set of
constraints with penalty factors that measure the violation of each
feasible solution in the search space to each constraint. In this case
the obtained feasible solution is guaranteed to satisfy all the
constraints. Simulation results have shown significant performance
increases and a decreased randomness in the parameter search space
compared to a single objective conventional particle swarm
optimization.
Abstract: Colour choice has become a common strategy and
correlates highly with marketing. Three broad functions can be
identified for colour in a building context especially applied in
marketing communications, which are its role as an important
parameter in illumination designs, its capacity to influence the visual
appearance of a building in a predictable manner and as an aesthetic
function. The review of literatures shows that colour has an impact on
online marketing communications, and relations between colour, web
and marketing communications.
Abstract: In automotive systems almost all steps concerning the
calibration of several control systems, e.g., low idle governor or
boost pressure governor, are made with the vehicle because the timeto-
production and cost requirements on the projects do not allow for
the vehicle analysis necessary to build reliable models. Here is
presented a procedure using parametric and NN (neural network)
models that enables the generation of vehicle system models based
on normal ECU engine control unit) vehicle measurements. These
models are locally valid and permit pre and follow-up calibrations so
that, only the final calibrations have to be done with the vehicle.