Abstract: In the past decade, artificial neural networks (ANNs)
have been regarded as an instrument for problem-solving and
decision-making; indeed, they have already done with a substantial
efficiency and effectiveness improvement in industries and businesses.
In this paper, the Back-Propagation neural Networks (BPNs) will be
modulated to demonstrate the performance of the collaborative
forecasting (CF) function of a Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and
Replenishment (CPFR®) system. CPFR functions the balance between
the sufficient product supply and the necessary customer demand in a
Supply and Demand Chain (SDC). Several classical standard BPN will
be grouped, collaborated and exploited for the easy implementation of
the proposed modular ANN framework based on the topology of a
SDC. Each individual BPN is applied as a modular tool to perform the
task of forecasting SKUs (Stock-Keeping Units) levels that are
managed and supervised at a POS (point of sale), a wholesaler, and a
manufacturer in an SDC. The proposed modular BPN-based CF
system will be exemplified and experimentally verified using lots of
datasets of the simulated SDC. The experimental results showed that a
complex CF problem can be divided into a group of simpler
sub-problems based on the single independent trading partners
distributed over SDC, and its SKU forecasting accuracy was satisfied
when the system forecasted values compared to the original simulated
SDC data. The primary task of implementing an autonomous CF
involves the study of supervised ANN learning methodology which
aims at making “knowledgeable" decision for the best SKU sales plan
and stocks management.
Abstract: In this paper, a neural tree (NT) classifier having a
simple perceptron at each node is considered. A new concept for
making a balanced tree is applied in the learning algorithm of the
tree. At each node, if the perceptron classification is not accurate and
unbalanced, then it is replaced by a new perceptron. This separates
the training set in such a way that almost the equal number of patterns
fall into each of the classes. Moreover, each perceptron is trained only
for the classes which are present at respective node and ignore other
classes. Splitting nodes are employed into the neural tree architecture
to divide the training set when the current perceptron node repeats
the same classification of the parent node. A new error function based
on the depth of the tree is introduced to reduce the computational
time for the training of a perceptron. Experiments are performed to
check the efficiency and encouraging results are obtained in terms of
accuracy and computational costs.
Abstract: Optical 3D measurement of objects is meaningful in
numerous industrial applications. In various cases shape acquisition
of weak textured objects is essential. Examples are repetition parts
made of plastic or ceramic such as housing parts or ceramic bottles as
well as agricultural products like tubers. These parts are often
conveyed in a wobbling way during the automated optical inspection.
Thus, conventional 3D shape acquisition methods like laser scanning
might fail. In this paper, a novel approach for acquiring 3D shape of
weak textured and moving objects is presented. To facilitate such
measurements an active stereo vision system with structured light is
proposed. The system consists of multiple camera pairs and auxiliary
laser pattern generators. It performs the shape acquisition within one
shot and is beneficial for rapid inspection tasks. An experimental
setup including hardware and software has been developed and
implemented.
Abstract: In recent years demolished concrete waste handling and management is the new primary challenging issue faced by the countries all over the world. It is very challenging and hectic problem that has to be tackled in an indigenous manner, it is desirable to completely recycle demolished concrete waste in order to protect natural resources and reduce environmental pollution. In this research paper an experimental study is carried out to investigate the feasibility and recycling of demolished waste concrete for new construction. The present investigation to be focused on recycling demolished waste materials in order to reduce construction cost and resolving housing problems faced by the low income communities of the world. The crushed demolished concrete wastes is segregated by sieving to obtain required sizes of aggregate, several tests were conducted to determine the aggregate properties before recycling it into new concrete. This research shows that the recycled aggregate that are obtained from site make good quality concrete. The compressive strength test results of partial replacement and full recycled aggregate concrete and are found to be higher than the compressive strength of normal concrete with new aggregate.
Abstract: To minimize power losses, it is important to
determine the location and size of local generators to be placed in
unbalanced power distribution systems. On account of some inherent
features of unbalanced distribution systems, such as radial structure,
large number of nodes, a wide range of X/R ratios, the conventional
techniques developed for the transmission systems generally fail on
the determination of optimum size and location of distributed
generators (DGs). This paper presents a simple method for
investigating the problem of contemporaneously choosing best
location and size of DG in three-phase unbalanced radial distribution
system (URDS) for power loss minimization and to improve the
voltage profile of the system. Best location of the DG is determined
by using voltage index analysis and size of DG is computed by
variational technique algorithm according to available standard size
of DGs. This paper presents the results of simulations for 25-bus and
IEEE 37- bus Unbalanced Radial Distribution system.
Abstract: Interior brick-infill partitions are usually considered as
non-structural components and only their weight is accounted for in
practical structural design. In this study, their effect on the progressive
collapse resistance of an RC building subjected to sudden column loss
is investigated. Three notional column loss conditions with four
different brick-infill locations are considered. Column-loss response
analyses of the RC building with and without brick infills are carried
out. Analysis results indicate that the collapse resistance is only
slightly influenced by the brick infills due to their brittle failure
characteristic. Even so, they may help to reduce the inelastic
displacement response under column loss. For practical engineering, it
is reasonably conservative to only consider the weight of brick-infill
partitions in the structural analysis.
Abstract: The association between emotional inhibition strategies linked to depression has been showed inconsistent among studies. Mild emotional inhibition maybe benefit for social interaction, especially for female among East Asian cultures. The present study aimed to examine whether the inhibition–depression relationship is dependent on level of emotion inhibition and gender context, given differing value of suppressing emotional displays. We hypothesized that the negative associations between inhibition and adolescent depression would not directly, in which affected by interaction between emotion inhibition and gender. To test this hypothesis, we asked 309 junior high school students which age range from 12 to14 years old to report on their use of emotion inhibition and depression syndrome. A multiple regressions analysis revealed that significant interaction that gender as a moderator to the relationships between emotion inhibition and adolescent depression. The group with the highest level of depression was girls with high levels of emotion inhibition, whose depression score was higher than that of boys with high levels of emotion inhibition. The result highlights that the importance of context in understanding the inhibition-depression relationship.
Abstract: This paper investigated the organizational
innovativeness of public listed housing developers in Malaysia. We
conceptualized organizational innovativeness as a multi-dimensional
construct consisting of 5 dimensions: market innovativeness, product
innovativeness, process innovativeness, behavior innovativeness and
strategic innovativeness. We carried out questionnaire survey with all
accessible public listed developers in Malaysia and received a 56
percent response. We found that the innovativeness of public listed
housing developers is low. The study extends the knowledge on
innovativeness theory by using a multi-dimensional contructs to
conceptualize the innovativeness of public listed housing developers
in Malaysia where all this while most studies focused on single
dimensional construct of innovativeness. The paper ends by
providing some explanations for the results.
Abstract: The wireless link can be unreliable in realistic wireless
sensor networks (WSNs). Energy efficient and reliable data
forwarding is important because each node has limited resources.
Therefore, we must suggest an optimal solution that considers using
the information of the node-s characteristics. Previous routing
protocols were unsuited to realistic asymmetric WSNs. In this paper,
we propose a Protocol that considers Both sides of Link-quality and
Energy (PBLE), an optimal routing protocol that balances modified
link-quality, distance and energy. Additionally, we propose a node
scheduling method. PBLE achieves a longer lifetime than previous
routing protocols and is more energy-efficient. PBLE uses energy,
local information and both sides of PRR in a 1-hop distance. We
explain how to send data packets to the destination node using the
node's information. Simulation shows PBLE improves delivery rate
and network lifetime compared to previous schemes. Moreover, we
show the improvement in various WSN environments.
Abstract: Japan is known to be a technological powerhouse, being noted for its automobiles, consumer electronics, laptop computers, portable gaming devices, and more recently healing animal robots. Japan is also noted for its popular culture; manga, anime, novels, films, character goods, game programs, cosplay cafes, karaoke and so on. It may be natural for people outside Japan to assume that e-learning in Japan must be well advanced and innovative. In reality, the application of technologies in education in Japan is far behind of other developed countries. Especially in higher education, apathy of students towards their study prevails and teachers continue ignoring such student attitudes. E-learning, which is supposed to revolutionalize the way people learn as it has potentials to enable more student-centered learning, has not been realized in Japan and mostly used to perpetuate the teachercentered teaching in a different format.
Abstract: This paper observed the interhemispheric conjugate
auroral activity occurred on 21 September 2009. The GPS derived
ionospheric total electron content (TEC) during a weak substorm
interval recorded at interhemispheric conjugate points at Husafell in
Iceland and Syowa in Antarctica is investigated to look at their
signatures on the auroral features. Selection of all-sky camera (ASC)
images and keogram at Tjörnes and Syowa during the interval
00:47:54 – 00:50:14 UT on 21 September 2009 found that the auroral
activity had exerted their influence on the GPS TEC as a
consequence of varying interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By
polarity.
Abstract: Five crystal modifications of water insoluble
artesunate were generated by recrystallizing it from various solvents
with improved physicochemical properties. These generated crystal
forms were characterized to select the most potent and soluble form.
SEM of all the forms showed changes in external shape leading them
to be different morphologically. DSC thermograms of Form III and
Form V showed broad endotherm peaks at 83.04oC and 76.96oC prior
to melting fusion of drug respectively. Calculated weight loss in TGA
revealed that Form III and Form V are methanol and acetone solvates
respectively. However, few additional peaks were appeared in XRPD
pattern in these two solvate forms. All forms exhibit exothermic
behavior in buffer and two solvates display maximum ease of
molecular release from the lattice. Methanol and acetone solvates
were found to be most soluble forms and exhibited higher
antimalarial efficacy showing higher survival rate (83.3%) after 30
days.
Abstract: Food safety is an important concern for holiday
makers in foreign and unfamiliar tourist destinations. In fact, risk
from food in these tourist destinations has an influence on tourist
perception. This risk can potentially affect physical health and lead to
an inability to pursue planned activities. The objective of this paper
was to compare foreign tourists- demographics including gender, age
and education level, with the level of perceived risk towards food
safety. A total of 222 foreign tourists during their stay at Khao San
Road in Bangkok were used as the sample. Independent- samples ttest,
analysis of variance, and Least Significant Difference or LSD
post hoc test were utilized. The findings revealed that there were few
demographic differences in level of perceived risk among the foreign
tourists. The post hoc test indicated a significant difference among
the old and the young tourists, and between the higher and lower
level of education. Ranks of tourists- perceived risk towards food
safety unveiled some interesting results. Tourists- perceived risk of
food safety in established restaurants can be ranked as i) cleanliness
of dining utensils, ii) sanitation of food preparation area, and iii)
cleanliness of food seasoning and ingredients. Whereas, the tourists-
perceived risk of food safety in street food and drink can be ranked
as i) cleanliness of stalls and pushcarts, ii) cleanliness of food sold,
and iii) personal hygiene of street food hawkers or vendors.
Abstract: As a simple to method estimate the plant heating energy
capacity of an apartment complex, a new load calculation method has
been proposed. The method which can be called as unit building
method, predicts the heating load of the entire complex instead of
summing up that of each apartment belonging to complex.
Comparison of the unit heating load for various floor sizes between the
present method and conventional approach shows a close agreement
with dynamic load calculation code. Some additional calculations are
performed to demonstrate it-s application examples.
Abstract: Current research on semantic web aims at making intelligent web pages meaningful for machines. In this way, ontology plays a primary role. We believe that logic can help ontology languages (such as OWL) to be more fluent and efficient. In this paper we try to combine logic with OWL to reduce some disadvantages of this language. Therefore we extend OWL by logic and also show how logic can satisfy our future expectations of an ontology language.
Abstract: The introduction of sowing technologies into minimum- or no-tillage soil has a number of economical and environmental virtues, such as improving soil properties, decreasing soil erosion and degradation, and saving working time and fuel. However, the main disadvantage of these technologies is that plant residues on the soil surface reduce the quality of the planted crop seeds, thus requiring plant residues to be removed or cut. This paper presents a analysis of disc coulter parameters and an experimental investigation of cutting spring barley straw containing various amounts of moisture with different disc coulters (smooth and notched).
Abstract: The impact of noise upon live quality has become an
important aspect to make both urban and environmental policythroughout
Europe and in Turkey. Concern over the quality of urban
environments, including noise levels and declining quality of green
space, is over the past decade with increasing emphasis on designing
livable and sustainable communities. According to the World Health
Organization, noise pollution is the third most hazardous
environmental type of pollution which proceeded by only air (gas
emission) and water pollution. The research carried out in two
phases, the first stage of the research noise and plant types providing
the suction of noise was evaluated through literature study and at the
second stage, definite types (Juniperus horizontalis L., Spirea
vanhouetti Briot., Cotoneaster dammerii C.K., Berberis thunbergii
D.C., Pyracantha coccinea M. etc.) were selected for the city of
Konya. Trials were conducted on the highway of Konya. The biggest
value of noise reduction was 6.3 dB(A), 4.9 dB(A), 6.2 dB(A) value
with compared to the control which includes the group that formed
by the bushes at the distance of 7m, 11m, 20m from the source and
5m, 9m, 20m of plant width, respectively. In this paper, definitions
regarding to noise and its sources were made and the precautions
were taken against to noise that mentioned earlier with the adverse
effects of noise. Plantation design approaches and suggestions
concerning to the diversity to be used, which are peculiar to roadside,
were developed to discuss the role and the function of plant material
to reduce the noise of the traffic.
Abstract: In the literature of information theory, there is
necessity for comparing the different measures of fuzzy entropy and
this consequently, gives rise to the need for normalizing measures of
fuzzy entropy. In this paper, we have discussed this need and hence
developed some normalized measures of fuzzy entropy. It is also
desirable to maximize entropy and to minimize directed divergence
or distance. Keeping in mind this idea, we have explained the method
of optimizing different measures of fuzzy entropy.
Abstract: Innovation is being view from four areas of
innovation, product, service, technology, and marketing. Whereas
customer loyalty is composed of customer expectation, perceived
quality, perceived value, corporate image, customer satisfaction,
customer trust/confidence, customer commitment, customer
complaint, and customer loyalty. This study aimed to investigate the
influence of innovation factors to customer loyalty to GSM in the
telecom companies where use of products and services. Structural
Equation Modeling (SEM) using to analyze innovation factors. It was
found the factor of innovation have significant influence on customer
loyalty.
Abstract: In the paper it is questioned whether effective state
social policy provides happiness and social progress. For this purpose
selected correlations between Human Development Index (HDI),
share of public social expenditures in GDP, the Happy Planet Index
(HPI), GDP per capita, and Government Effectiveness are examined
and the results are graphically presented. It is shown how a
government can affect well-being and happiness in different countries
of modern world. Also, it is tested the hypothesis about existence of a
certain optimum of well-being and public social expenditures, which
affect direction of social progress. It is concluded that efficient social
policy and wealth are not the only factors determining human
happiness.