Abstract: Nowadays, the plant location selection has a critical
impact on the performance of numerous companies. In this paper, a
methodology is presented to solve this problem. The three decision
making methods, namely Delphi, AHP and improved VIKOR, are
hybridized in order to make the best use of information available
based on the decision makers or experts. In this respect, the aim of
using Delphi is to select the most influential criteria by a few decision
makers. The AHP is utilized to give weights of the selected criteria.
Finally, the improved VIKOR method is applied to rank alternatives.
At the end of paper, an application example demonstrates the
applicability of the proposed methodology.
Abstract: Transmission control protocol (TCP) Vegas detects
network congestion in the early stage and successfully prevents
periodic packet loss that usually occurs in TCP Reno. It has been
demonstrated that TCP Vegas outperforms TCP Reno in many
aspects. However, TCP Vegas suffers several problems that affect its
congestion avoidance mechanism. One of the most important
weaknesses in TCP Vegas is that alpha and beta depend on a good
expected throughput estimate, which as we have seen, depends on a
good minimum RTT estimate. In order to make the system more
robust alpha and beta must be made responsive to network conditions
(they are currently chosen statically). This paper proposes a modified
Vegas algorithm, which can be adjusted to present good performance
compared to other transmission control protocols (TCPs). In order to
do this, we use PSO algorithm to tune alpha and beta. The simulation
results validate the advantages of the proposed algorithm in term of
performance.
Abstract: This paper tries to shed light on the existence of a bank lending channel (BLC) in South Eastern European countries (SEE). Based on a VAR framework we test the responsiveness of credit supply to monetary policy shocks. By compiling a new data set and using the reserve requirement ratio, among others, as the policy instrument we measure the effectiveness of the BLC and the buffering effect of the banks in the SEE countries. The results indicate that loan supply is significantly affected by shifts in monetary policy, when demand factors are controlled. Furthermore, by analyzing the effect of the Greek banks in the region we conclude that Greek banks do buffer the negative effects of monetary policy transmission. By having a significant market share of the SEE-s banking markets we argue that Greek banks influence positively the economic growth of SEE countries.
Abstract: This paper presents a new classification algorithm using colour and texture for obstacle detection. Colour information is computationally cheap to learn and process. However in many cases, colour alone does not provide enough information for classification. Texture information can improve classification performance but usually comes at an expensive cost. Our algorithm uses both colour and texture features but texture is only needed when colour is unreliable. During the training stage, texture features are learned specifically to improve the performance of a colour classifier. The algorithm learns a set of simple texture features and only the most effective features are used in the classification stage. Therefore our algorithm has a very good classification rate while is still fast enough to run on a limited computer platform. The proposed algorithm was tested with a challenging outdoor image set. Test result shows the algorithm achieves a much better trade-off between classification performance and efficiency than a typical colour classifier.
Abstract: Mobile Ad hoc network consists of a set of mobile
nodes. It is a dynamic network which does not have fixed topology.
This network does not have any infrastructure or central
administration, hence it is called infrastructure-less network. The
change in topology makes the route from source to destination as
dynamic fixed and changes with respect to time. The nature of
network requires the algorithm to perform route discovery, maintain
route and detect failure along the path between two nodes [1]. This
paper presents the enhancements of ARA [2] to improve the
performance of routing algorithm. ARA [2] finds route between
nodes in mobile ad-hoc network. The algorithm is on-demand source
initiated routing algorithm. This is based on the principles of swarm
intelligence. The algorithm is adaptive, scalable and favors load
balancing. The improvements suggested in this paper are handling of
loss ants and resource reservation.
Abstract: In unsupervised segmentation context, we propose a bi-dimensional hidden Markov chain model (X,Y) that we adapt to the image segmentation problem. The bi-dimensional observed process Y = (Y 1, Y 2) is such that Y 1 represents the noisy image and Y 2 represents a noisy supplementary information on the image, for example a noisy proportion of pixels of the same type in a neighborhood of the current pixel. The proposed model can be seen as a competitive alternative to the Hilbert-Peano scan. We propose a bayesian algorithm to estimate parameters of the considered model. The performance of this algorithm is globally favorable, compared to the bi-dimensional EM algorithm through numerical and visual data.
Abstract: Aspect of visual perception occupies a central position
in shaping the physical structure of a city. This paper discusses the
visual characteristics of utopian cities and their impact on the shaping
of real urban structures. Utopian examples of cities will not be
discussed in terms of social and sociological conditions, but rather
the emphasis is on urban utopias and ideal cities that have achieved
or have had potential impact on the shape of the physical structure of
Nikšić. It is a Renaissance-Baroque period with a touch of classicism.
The paper’s emphasis is on the physical dimension, not excluding the
importance of social equilibrium, studies of which are dating back to
Aristotle, Plato, Thomas More, Robert Owen, Tommaso Campanella
and others. The emphasis is on urban utopias and their impact on the
development of sustainable physical structure of a real city in the
context of visual perception. In the case of Nikšić, this paper
identifies the common features of a real city and a utopian city, as
well as criteria for sustainable urban development in the context of
visual achievement.
Abstract: In this paper, backup and recovery technique for Peer
to Peer applications, such as a distributed asynchronous Web-Based
Training system that we have previously proposed. In order to
improve the scalability and robustness of this system, all contents and
function are realized on mobile agents. These agents are distributed
to computers, and they can obtain using a Peer to Peer network
that modified Content-Addressable Network. In the proposed system,
although entire services do not become impossible even if some
computers break down, the problem that contents disappear occurs
with an agent-s disappearance. As a solution for this issue, backups
of agents are distributed to computers. If a failure of a computer is
detected, other computers will continue service using backups of the
agents belonged to the computer.
Abstract: Currently electronic slide (e-slide) is one of the most common styles in educational presentation. Unfortunately, the utilization of e-slide for the visually impaired is uncommon since they are unable to see the content of such e-slides which are usually composed of text, images and animation. This paper proposes a model for presenting e-slide in multimodal presentation i.e. using conventional slide concurrent with voicing, in both languages Malay and English. At the design level, live multimedia presentation concept is used, while at the implementation level several components are used. The text content of each slide is extracted using COM component, Microsoft Speech API for voicing the text in English language and the text in Malay language is voiced using dictionary approach. To support the accessibility, an auditory user interface is provided as an additional feature. A prototype of such model named as VSlide has been developed and introduced.
Abstract: Probabilistic techniques in computer programs are becoming
more and more widely used. Therefore, there is a big
interest in the formal specification, verification, and development
of probabilistic programs. In our work-in-progress project, we are
attempting to make a constructive framework for developing probabilistic
programs formally. The main contribution of this paper
is to introduce an intermediate artifact of our work, a Z-based
formalism called PZ, by which one can build set theoretical models of
probabilistic programs. We propose to use a constructive set theory,
called CZ set theory, to interpret the specifications written in PZ.
Since CZ has an interpretation in Martin-L¨of-s theory of types, this
idea enables us to derive probabilistic programs from correctness
proofs of their PZ specifications.
Abstract: This paper proposes a synchronized random switching frequency pulse width modulation (SRSFPWM). In this technique, the clock signal is used to control the random noise frequency which is produced by the feedback voltage of a hysteresis circuit. These make the triangular carrier frequency equaling to the random noise frequency in each switching period with the symmetrical positive and negative slopes of triangular carrier. Therefore, there is no error voltage in PWM signal. The PSpice simulated results shown the proposed technique improved the performance in case of low frequency harmonics of PWM signal comparing with conventional random switching frequency PWM.
Abstract: Users of computer systems may often require the
private transfer of messages/communications between parties across
a network. Information warfare and the protection and dominance of
information in the military context is a prime example of an
application area in which the confidentiality of data needs to be
maintained. The safe transportation of critical data is therefore often
a vital requirement for many private communications. However,
unwanted interception/sniffing of communications is also a
possibility. An elementary stealthy transfer scheme is therefore
proposed by the authors. This scheme makes use of encoding,
splitting of a message and the use of a hashing algorithm to verify the
correctness of the reconstructed message. For this proof-of-concept
purpose, the authors have experimented with the random sending of
encoded parts of a message and the construction thereof to
demonstrate how data can stealthily be transferred across a network
so as to prevent the obvious retrieval of data.
Abstract: In this study an extensive experimental research is
carried out to develop a better understanding of the effects of Piano Key (PK) weir geometry on weir flow threshold submergence.
Experiments were conducted in a 12 m long, 0.4 m wide and 0.7 m deep rectangular glass wall flume. The main objectives were to
investigate the effect of the PK weir geometries including the weir
length, weir height, inlet-outlet key widths, upstream and
downstream apex overhangs, and slopped floors on threshold submergence and study the hydraulic flow characteristics. From the
experimental results, a practical formula is proposed to evaluate the flow threshold submergence over PK weirs.
Abstract: It is necessary to incorporate technological advances
achieved in the field of engineering into dentistry in order to enhance
the process of diagnosis, treatment planning and enable the doctors to
render better treatment to their patients. To achieve this ultimate goal
long distance collaborations are often necessary. This paper discusses
the various collaborative tools and their applications to solve a few
burning problems confronted by the dentists. Customization is often
the solution to most of the problems. But rapid designing,
development and cost effective manufacturing is a difficult task to
achieve. This problem can be solved using the technique of digital
manufacturing. Cases from 6 major branches of dentistry have been
discussed and possible solutions with the help of state of art
technology using rapid digital manufacturing have been proposed in
the present paper. The paper also entails the usage of existing tools in
collaborative and digital manufacturing area.
Abstract: This work deals with the initial applications and formulation of an anisotropic plastic-damage constitutive model proposed for non-linear analysis of reinforced concrete structures submitted to a loading with change of the sign. The original constitutive model is based on the fundamental hypothesis of energy equivalence between real and continuous medium following the concepts of the Continuum Damage Mechanics. The concrete is assumed as an initial elastic isotropic medium presenting anisotropy, permanent strains and bimodularity (distinct elastic responses whether traction or compression stress states prevail) induced by damage evolution. In order to take into account the bimodularity, two damage tensors governing the rigidity in tension or compression regimes are introduced. Then, some conditions are introduced in the original version of the model in order to simulate the damage unilateral effect. The three-dimensional version of the proposed model is analyzed in order to validate its formulation when compared to micromechanical theory. The one-dimensional version of the model is applied in the analyses of a reinforced concrete beam submitted to a loading with change of the sign. Despite the parametric identification problems, the initial applications show the good performance of the model.
Abstract: This paper presents a systematic procedure for modelling and simulation of a power system installed with a power system stabilizer (PSS) and a flexible ac transmission system (FACTS)-based controller. For the design purpose, the model of example power system which is a single-machine infinite-bus power system installed with the proposed controllers is developed in MATLAB/SIMULINK. In the developed model synchronous generator is represented by model 1.1. which includes both the generator main field winding and the damper winding in q-axis so as to evaluate the impact of PSS and FACTS-based controller on power system stability. The model can be can be used for teaching the power system stability phenomena, and also for research works especially to develop generator controllers using advanced technologies. Further, to avoid adverse interactions, PSS and FACTS-based controller are simultaneously designed employing genetic algorithm (GA). The non-linear simulation results are presented for the example power system under various disturbance conditions to validate the effectiveness of the proposed modelling and simultaneous design approach.
Abstract: For the characterization of the weld defect region in the radiographic image, looking for features which are invariant regarding the geometrical transformations (rotation, translation and scaling) proves to be necessary because the same defect can be seen from several angles according to the orientation and the distance from the welded framework to the radiation source. Thus, panoply of geometrical attributes satisfying the above conditions is proposed and which result from the calculation of the geometrical parameters (surface, perimeter, etc.) on the one hand and the calculation of the different order moments, on the other hand. Because the large range in values of the raw features and taking into account other considerations imposed by some classifiers, the scaling of these values to lie between 0 and 1 is indispensable. The principal component analysis technique is used in order to reduce the number of the attribute variables in the aim to give better performance to the further defect classification.
Abstract: Dual motor drives fed by single inverter is
purposely designed to reduced size and cost with respect to
single motor drives fed by single inverter. Previous researches
on dual motor drives only focus on the modulation and the
averaging techniques. Only a few of them, study the
performance of the drives based on different speed controller
other than Proportional and Integrator (PI) controller. This
paper presents a detailed comparative study on fuzzy rule-base
in Fuzzy Logic speed Controller (FLC) for Dual Permanent
Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) drives. Two fuzzy speed
controllers which are standard and simplified fuzzy speed
controllers are designed and the results are compared and
evaluated. The standard fuzzy controller consists of 49 rules
while the proposed controller consists of 9 rules determined by
selecting the most dominant rules only. Both designs are
compared for wide range of speed and the robustness of both
controllers over load disturbance changes is tested to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the simplified/reduced rulebase.
Abstract: A computationally simple approach of model order
reduction for single input single output (SISO) and linear timeinvariant
discrete systems modeled in frequency domain is proposed
in this paper. Denominator of the reduced order model is determined
using fuzzy C-means clustering while the numerator parameters are
found by matching time moments and Markov parameters of high
order system.