Abstract: The purpose of this study was to understand the main
sources of copper (Cu) accumulation in target organs of tilapia
(Oreochromis mossambicus) and to investigate how the organism
mediate the process of Cu accumulation under prolonged conditions.
By measuring both dietary and waterborne Cu accumulation and total
concentrations in tilapia with biokinetic modeling approach, we were
able to clarify the biokinetic coping mechanisms for the long term Cu
accumulation. This study showed that water and food are both the
major source of Cu for the muscle and liver of tilapia. This implied
that control the Cu concentration in these two routes will be correlated
to the Cu bioavailability for tilapia. We found that exposure duration
and level of waterborne Cu drove the Cu accumulation in tilapia. The
ability for Cu biouptake and depuration in organs of tilapia were
actively mediated under prolonged exposure conditions. Generally,
the uptake rate, depuration rate and net bioaccumulation ability in all
selected organs decreased with the increasing level of waterborne Cu
and extension of exposure duration.Muscle tissues accounted for over
50%of the total accumulated Cu and played a key role in buffering the
Cu burden in the initial period of exposure, alternatively, the liver
acted a more important role in the storage of Cu with the extension of
exposures. We concluded that assumption of the constant biokinetic
rates could lead to incorrect predictions with overestimating the
long-term Cu accumulation in ecotoxicological risk assessments.
Abstract: Dust storms are one of the most costly and destructive
events in many desert regions. They can cause massive damages both
in natural environments and human lives. This paper is aimed at
presenting a preliminary study on dust storms, as a major natural
hazard in arid and semi-arid regions. As a case study, dust storm
events occurred in Zabol city located in Sistan Region of Iran was
analyzed to diagnose and predict dust storms. The identification and
prediction of dust storm events could have significant impacts on
damages reduction. Present models for this purpose are complicated
and not appropriate for many areas with poor-data environments. The
present study explores Gamma test for identifying inputs of ANNs
model, for dust storm prediction. Results indicate that more attempts
must be carried out concerning dust storms identification and
segregate between various dust storm types.
Abstract: The study deals with the modelling of the gas flow during heliox therapy. A special model has been developed to study the effect of the helium upon the gas flow in the airways during the spontaneous breathing. Lower density of helium compared with air decreases the Reynolds number and it allows improving the flow during the spontaneous breathing. In the cases, where the flow becomes turbulent while the patient inspires air the flow is still laminar when the patient inspires heliox. The use of heliox decreases the work of breathing and improves ventilation. It allows in some cases to prevent the intubation of the patients.
Abstract: In the present essay, a model of choice by actors is analysedby utilizing the theory of chaos to explain how change comes about. Then, by using ancient and modern sources of literature, the theory of the social contract is analysed as a historical phenomenon that first appeared during the period of Classical Greece. Then, based on the findings of this analysis, the practice of direct democracy and public choice in ancient Athens is analysed, through two historical cases: Eubulus and Lycurgus political program in the second half of the 4th century. The main finding of this research is that these policies can be interpreted as an implementation of a social contract, through which citizens were taking decisions based on rational choice according to economic considerations.
Abstract: We address the balancing problem of transfer lines in
this paper to find the optimal line balancing that minimizes the nonproductive
time. We focus on the tool change time and face
orientation change time both of which influence the makespane. We
consider machine capacity limitations and technological constraints
associated with the manufacturing process of auto cylinder heads.
The problem is represented by a mixed integer programming model
that aims at distributing the design features to workstations and
sequencing the machining processes at a minimum non-productive
time. The proposed model is solved by an algorithm established using
linearization schemes and Benders- decomposition approach. The
experiments show the efficiency of the algorithm in reaching the
exact solution of small and medium problem instances at reasonable
time.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new method for analyzing textual data. The method deals with items of textual data, where each item is described based on various viewpoints. The method acquires 2- class classification models of the viewpoints by applying an inductive learning method to items with multiple viewpoints. The method infers whether the viewpoints are assigned to the new items or not by using the models. The method extracts expressions from the new items classified into the viewpoints and extracts characteristic expressions corresponding to the viewpoints by comparing the frequency of expressions among the viewpoints. This paper also applies the method to questionnaire data given by guests at a hotel and verifies its effect through numerical experiments.
Abstract: Effective evaluation of software development effort is an important aspect of successful project management. Based on a large database with 4106 projects ever developed, this study statistically examines the factors that influence development effort. The factors found to be significant for effort are project size, average number of developers that worked on the project, type of development, development language, development platform, and the use of rapid application development. Among these factors, project size is the most critical cost driver. Unsurprisingly, this study found that the use of CASE tools does not necessarily reduce development effort, which adds support to the claim that the use of tools is subtle. As many of the current estimation models are rarely or unsuccessfully used, this study proposes a parsimonious parametric model for the prediction of effort which is both simple and more accurate than previous models.
Abstract: Software reliability, defined as the probability of a
software system or application functioning without failure or errors
over a defined period of time, has been an important area of research
for over three decades. Several research efforts aimed at developing
models to improve reliability are currently underway. One of the
most popular approaches to software reliability adopted by some of
these research efforts involves the use of operational profiles to
predict how software applications will be used. Operational profiles
are a quantification of usage patterns for a software application. The
research presented in this paper investigates an innovative multiagent
framework for automatic creation and management of
operational profiles for generic distributed systems after their release
into the market. The architecture of the proposed Operational Profile
MAS (Multi-Agent System) is presented along with detailed
descriptions of the various models arrived at following the analysis
and design phases of the proposed system. The operational profile in
this paper is extended to comprise seven different profiles. Further,
the criticality of operations is defined using a new composed metrics
in order to organize the testing process as well as to decrease the time
and cost involved in this process. A prototype implementation of the
proposed MAS is included as proof-of-concept and the framework is
considered as a step towards making distributed systems intelligent
and self-managing.
Abstract: Optimization is often a critical issue for most system
design problems. Evolutionary Algorithms are population-based,
stochastic search techniques, widely used as efficient global
optimizers. However, finding optimal solution to complex high
dimensional, multimodal problems often require highly
computationally expensive function evaluations and hence are
practically prohibitive. The Dynamic Approximate Fitness based
Hybrid EA (DAFHEA) model presented in our earlier work [14]
reduced computation time by controlled use of meta-models to
partially replace the actual function evaluation by approximate
function evaluation. However, the underlying assumption in
DAFHEA is that the training samples for the meta-model are
generated from a single uniform model. Situations like model
formation involving variable input dimensions and noisy data
certainly can not be covered by this assumption. In this paper we
present an enhanced version of DAFHEA that incorporates a
multiple-model based learning approach for the SVM approximator.
DAFHEA-II (the enhanced version of the DAFHEA framework) also
overcomes the high computational expense involved with additional
clustering requirements of the original DAFHEA framework. The
proposed framework has been tested on several benchmark functions
and the empirical results illustrate the advantages of the proposed
technique.
Abstract: This paper studies ruin probabilities in two discrete-time
risk models with premiums, claims and rates of interest modelled by
three autoregressive moving average processes. Generalized Lundberg
inequalities for ruin probabilities are derived by using recursive
technique. A numerical example is given to illustrate the applications
of these probability inequalities.
Abstract: The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
control system has an important effect on operation of cell.
Traditional controllers couldn-t lead to acceptable responses because
of time- change, long- hysteresis, uncertainty, strong- coupling and
nonlinear characteristics of PEMFCs, so an intelligent or adaptive
controller is needed. In this paper a neural network predictive
controller have been designed to control the voltage of at the
presence of fluctuations of temperature. The results of
implementation of this designed NN Predictive controller on a
dynamic electrochemical model of a small size 5 KW, PEM fuel cell
have been simulated by MATLAB/SIMULINK.
Abstract: The number of electronic participation (eParticipation) projects introduced by different governments and international organisations is considerably high and increasing. In order to have an overview of the development of these projects, various evaluation frameworks have been proposed. In this paper, a five-level participation model, which takes into account the advantages of the Social Web or Web 2.0, together with a quantitative approach for the evaluation of eParticipation projects is presented. Each participation level is evaluated independently, taking into account three main components: Web evolution, media richness, and communication channels. This paper presents the evaluation of a number of existing Voting Advice Applications (VAAs). The results provide an overview of the main features implemented by each project, their strengths and weaknesses, and the participation levels reached.
Abstract: Intrusion Detection Systems are increasingly a key
part of systems defense. Various approaches to Intrusion Detection
are currently being used, but they are relatively ineffective. Artificial
Intelligence plays a driving role in security services. This paper
proposes a dynamic model Intelligent Intrusion Detection System,
based on specific AI approach for intrusion detection. The
techniques that are being investigated includes neural networks and
fuzzy logic with network profiling, that uses simple data mining
techniques to process the network data. The proposed system is a
hybrid system that combines anomaly, misuse and host based
detection. Simple Fuzzy rules allow us to construct if-then rules that
reflect common ways of describing security attacks. For host based
intrusion detection we use neural-networks along with self
organizing maps. Suspicious intrusions can be traced back to its
original source path and any traffic from that particular source will
be redirected back to them in future. Both network traffic and system
audit data are used as inputs for both.
Abstract: In the present work, behavior of inoxydable steel as
reinforcement bar in composite concrete is being investigated. The
bar-concrete adherence in reinforced concrete (RC) beam is studied
and focus is made on the tension stiffening parameter. This study
highlighted an approach to observe this interaction behavior in
bending test instead of direct tension as per reported in many
references. The approach resembles actual loading condition of the
structural RC beam. The tension stiffening properties are then
applied to numerical finite element analysis (FEA) to verify their
correlation with laboratory results. Comparison with laboratory
shows a good correlation between the two. The experimental settings
is able to determine tension stiffening parameters in RC beam and
the modeling strategies made in ABAQUS can closely represent the
actual condition. Tension stiffening model used can represent the
interaction properties between inoxydable steel and concrete.
Abstract: In this paper, the action research driven design of a
context relevant, developmental peer review of teaching model, its
implementation strategy and its impact at an Australian university is
presented. PRO-Teaching realizes an innovative process that
triangulates contemporaneous teaching quality data from a range of
stakeholders including students, discipline academics, learning and
teaching expert academics, and teacher reflection to create reliable
evidence of teaching quality. Data collected over multiple classroom
observations allows objective reporting on development differentials
in constructive alignment, peer, and student evaluations. Further
innovation is realized in the application of this highly structured
developmental process to provide summative evidence of sufficient
validity to support claims for professional advancement and learning
and teaching awards. Design decision points and contextual triggers
are described within the operating domain. Academics and
developers seeking to introduce structured peer review of teaching
into their organization will find this paper a useful reference.
Abstract: In this paper, a decision aid method for preoptimization
is presented. The method is called “negotiation", and it
is based on the identification, formulation, modeling and use of
indicators defined as “negotiation indicators". These negotiation
indicators are used to explore the solution space by means of a classbased
approach. The classes are subdomains for the negotiation
indicators domain. They represent equivalent cognitive solutions in
terms of the negotiation indictors being used. By this method, we
reduced the size of the solution space and the criteria, thus aiding the
optimization methods. We present an example to show the method.
Abstract: The purposes of this study were as follows to evaluate
the economic value of Phu Kradueng National Park by the travel cost
method (TCM) and the contingent valuation method (CVM) and to
estimate the demand for traveling and the willingness to pay. The
data for this study were collected by conducting two large scale
surveys on users and non-users. A total of 1,016 users and 1,034
non-users were interviewed. The data were analyzed using multiple
linear regression analysis, logistic regression model and the
consumer surplus (CS) was the integral of demand function for trips.
The survey found, were as follows:
1)Using the travel cost method which provides an estimate of direct
benefits to park users, we found that visitors- total willingness to pay
per visit was 2,284.57 bath, of which 958.29 bath was travel cost,
1,129.82 bath was expenditure for accommodation, food, and
services, and 166.66 bath was consumer surplus or the visitors -net
gain or satisfaction from the visit (the integral of demand function for
trips).
2) Thai visitors to Phu Kradueng National Park were further willing
to pay an average of 646.84 bath per head per year to ensure the
continued existence of Phu Kradueng National Park and to preserve
their option to use it in the future.
3) Thai non-visitors, on the other hand, are willing to pay an average
of 212.61 bath per head per year for the option and existence value
provided by the Park.
4) The total economic value of Phu Kradueng National Park to Thai
visitors and non-visitors taken together stands today at 9,249.55
million bath per year.
5) The users- average willingness to pay for access to Phu Kradueng
National Park rises
from 40 bath to 84.66 bath per head per trip for improved services
such as road improvement, increased cleanliness, and upgraded
information.
This paper was needed to investigate of the potential market
demand for bio prospecting in Phu Kradueng national Park and to
investigate how a larger share of the economic benefits of tourism
could be distributed income to the local residents.
Abstract: As a part of the development of a numerical method of
close capture exhausts systems for machining devices, a test rig
recreating a situation similar to a grinding operation, but in a
perfectly controlled environment, is used. The properties of the
obtained spray of solid particles are initially characterized using
particle tracking velocimetry (PTV), in order to obtain input and
validation parameters for numerical simulations. The dispersion of a
tracer gas (SF6) emitted simultaneously with the particle jet is then
studied experimentally, as the dispersion of such a gas is
representative of that of finer particles, whose aerodynamic response
time is negligible. Finally, complete modeling of the test rig is
achieved to allow comparison with experimental results and thus to
progress towards validation of the models used to describe a twophase
flow generated by machining operation.
Abstract: This paper is described one of the intelligent control method in Autonomous systems, which is called fuzzy control to correct the three wheel omnidirectional robot movement while it make mistake to catch the target. Fuzzy logic is especially advantageous for problems that can not be easily represented by mathematical modeling because data is either unavailable, incomplete or the process is too complex. Such systems can be easily up grated by adding new rules to improve performance or add new features. In many cases , fuzzy control can be used to improve existing traditional controller systems by adding an extra layer of intelligence to the current control method. The fuzzy controller designed here is more accurate and flexible than the traditional controllers. The project is done at MRL middle size soccer robot team.
Abstract: In this paper, multilayered coreless printed circuit
board (PCB) step-down power transformers for DC-DC converter
applications have been designed, manufactured and evaluated. A set
of two different circular spiral step-down transformers were
fabricated in the four layered PCB. These transformers have been
modelled with the assistance of high frequency equivalent circuit and
characterized with both sinusoidal and square wave excitation. This
paper provides the comparative results of these two different
transformers in terms of their resistances, self, leakage, mutual
inductances, coupling coefficient and also their energy efficiencies.
The operating regions for optimal performance of these transformers
for power transfer applications are determined. These transformers
were tested for the output power levels of about 30 Watts within the
input voltage range of 12-50 Vrms. The energy efficiency for these
step down transformers is observed to be in the range of 90%-97% in
MHz frequency region.