Abstract: Electronic Systems are the core of everyday lives.
They form an integral part in financial networks, mass transit,
telephone systems, power plants and personal computers. Electronic
systems are increasingly based on complex VLSI (Very Large Scale
Integration) integrated circuits. Initial electronic design automation is
concerned with the design and production of VLSI systems. The next
important step in creating a VLSI circuit is Physical Design. The
input to the physical design is a logical representation of the system
under design. The output of this step is the layout of a physical
package that optimally or near optimally realizes the logical
representation. Physical design problems are combinatorial in nature
and of large problem sizes. Darwin observed that, as variations are
introduced into a population with each new generation, the less-fit
individuals tend to extinct in the competition of basic necessities.
This survival of fittest principle leads to evolution in species. The
objective of the Genetic Algorithms (GA) is to find an optimal
solution to a problem .Since GA-s are heuristic procedures that can
function as optimizers, they are not guaranteed to find the optimum,
but are able to find acceptable solutions for a wide range of
problems. This survey paper aims at a study on Efficient Algorithms
for VLSI Physical design and observes the common traits of the
superior contributions.
Abstract: Functional imaging procedures for the non-invasive assessment of tissue microcirculation are highly requested, but require a mathematical approach describing the trans- and intercapillary passage of tracer particles. Up to now, two theoretical, for the moment different concepts have been established for tracer kinetic modeling of contrast agent transport in tissues: pharmacokinetic compartment models, which are usually written as coupled differential equations, and the indicator dilution theory, which can be generalized in accordance with the theory of lineartime- invariant (LTI) systems by using a convolution approach. Based on mathematical considerations, it can be shown that also in the case of an open two-compartment model well-known from functional imaging, the concentration-time course in tissue is given by a convolution, which allows a separation of the arterial input function from a system function being the impulse response function, summarizing the available information on tissue microcirculation. Due to this reason, it is possible to integrate the open two-compartment model into the system-theoretic concept of indicator dilution theory (IDT) and thus results known from IDT remain valid for the compartment approach. According to the long number of applications of compartmental analysis, even for a more general context similar solutions of the so-called forward problem can already be found in the extensively available appropriate literature of the seventies and early eighties. Nevertheless, to this day, within the field of biomedical imaging – not from the mathematical point of view – there seems to be a trench between both approaches, which the author would like to get over by exemplary analysis of the well-known model.
Abstract: A new analytical method to predict the torsional
capacity and behavior of R.C multi-cell box girders strengthened with
carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets is presented.
Modification was done on the Softened Truss Model (STM) in the
proposed method; the concrete torsional problem is solved by
combining the equilibrium conditions, compatibility conditions and
constitutive laws of materials by taking into account the confinement
of concrete with CFRP sheets. A specific algorithm is developed to
predict the torsional behavior of reinforced concrete multi-cell box
girders with or without strengthening by CFRP sheets. Applications
of the developed method as an assessment tool to strengthened multicell
box girders with CFRP and first analytical example that
demonstrate the contribution of the CFRP materials on the torsional
response is also included.
Abstract: This paper proposes a meta-heuristic called Ant Colony Optimization to solve multi-objective production problems. The multi-objective function is to minimize lead time and work in process. The problem is related to the decision variables, i.e.; distance and process time. According to decision criteria, the mathematical model is formulated. In order to solve the model an ant colony optimization approach has been developed. The proposed algorithm is parameterized by the number of ant colonies and the number of pheromone trails. One example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed model. The proposed formulations; Max-Min Ant system are then used to solve the problem and the results evaluate the performance and efficiency of the proposed algorithm using simulation.
Abstract: Hydrate phase equilibria for the binary CO2+water and
CH4+water mixtures in silica gel pore of nominal diameters 6, 30, and
100 nm were measured and compared with the calculated results based
on van der Waals and Platteeuw model. At a specific temperature,
three-phase hydrate-water-vapor (HLV) equilibrium curves for pore
hydrates were shifted to the higher-pressure condition depending on
pore sizes when compared with those of bulk hydrates. Notably,
hydrate phase equilibria for the case of 100 nominal nm pore size were
nearly identical with those of bulk hydrates. The activities of water in
porous silica gels were modified to account for capillary effect, and
the calculation results were generally in good agreement with the
experimental data. The structural characteristics of gas hydrates in
silica gel pores were investigated through NMR spectroscopy.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate
the scale of implementation of Just-In-Time (JIT) in the different industrial sectors in the Middle East. This study analyzes the empirical data collected by a questionnaire survey distributed to
companies in three main industrial sectors in the Middle East, which
are: food, chemicals and fabrics. The following main hypotheses is formulated and tested: (The requirements of JIT application differ
according to the type of industrial sector).Descriptive statistics and Box plot analysis were used to examine the hypotheses. This study indicates a reasonable evidence for accepting the main hypotheses. It
reveals that there is no standard way to adopt JIT as a production system. But each industrial sector should concentrate in the
investment on critical requirements that differ according to the nature
and strategy of production followed in that sector.
Abstract: Inconel718 has been widely used as a super alloy in aerospace application due to the high strength at elevated temperatures, satisfactory oxidation resistance and heat corrosion resistance. In this study, the Inconel718 has been fabricated using high technology of Metal Injection Molding (MIM) process due to the cost effective technique for producing small, complex and precision parts in high volume compared with conventional method through machining. Through MIM, the binder system is one of the most important criteria in order to successfully fabricate the Inconel718. Even though, the binder system is a temporary, but failure in the selection and removal of the binder system will affect on the final properties of the sintered parts. Therefore, the binder system based on palm oil derivative which is palm stearin has been formulated and developed to replace the conventional binder system. The rheological studies of the mixture between the powder and binders system have been determined properly in order to be successful during injection into injection molding machine. After molding, the binder holds the particles in place. The binder system has to be removed completely through debinding step. During debinding step, solvent debinding and thermal pyrolysis has been used to remove completely of the binder system. The debound part is then sintered to give the required physical and mechanical properties. The results show that the properties of the final sintered parts fulfill the Standard Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) 35 for MIM parts.
Abstract: This paper describes the evolution of language
politics and the part played by political leaders with reference to
the Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu. It explores the interesting
evolution from separatism to coalition in sustaining the values of
parliamentary democracy and federalism. It seems that the
appropriation of language politics is fully ascribed to the DMK
leadership under Annadurai and Karunanidhi. For them, the Tamil
language is a self-determining power, a terrain of nationhood, and
a perennial source of social and political powers. The DMK
remains a symbol of Tamil nationalist party playing language
politics in the interest of the Tamils. Though electoral alliances
largely determine the success, the language politics still has
significant space in the politics of Tamil Nadu. Ironically, DMK
moves from the periphery to centre for getting national recognition
for the Tamils as well as for its own maximization of power. The
evolution can be seen in two major phases as: language politics for
party building; and language politics for state building with three
successive political processes, namely, language politics in the
process of separatism, representative politics and coalition. The
much pronounced Dravidian Movement is radical enough to
democratize the party ideology to survive the spirit of
parliamentary democracy. This has secured its own rewards in
terms of political power. The political power provides the means to
achieve the social and political goal of the political party.
Language politics and leadership pattern actualized this trend
though the movement is shifted from separatism to coalition.
Abstract: This study focuses on bureau management
technologies and information systems in developing countries.
Developing countries use such systems which facilitate executive and
organizational functions through the utilization of bureau
management technologies and provide the executive staff with
necessary information.
The concepts of data and information differ from each other in
developing countries, and thus the concepts of data processing and
information processing are different. Symbols represent ideas,
objects, figures, letters and numbers. Data processing system is an
integrated system which deals with the processing of the data related
to the internal and external environment of the organization in order
to make decisions, create plans and develop strategies; it goes
without saying that this system is composed of both human beings
and machines. Information is obtained through the acquisition and
the processing of data. On the other hand, data are raw
communicative messages. Within this framework, data processing
equals to producing plausible information out of raw data.
Organizations in developing countries need to obtain information
relevant to them because rapid changes in the organizational arena
require rapid access to accurate information. The most significant
role of the directors and managers who work in the organizational
arena is to make decisions. Making a correct decision is possible only
when the directors and managers are equipped with sound ideas and
appropriate information. Therefore, acquisition, organization and
distribution of information gain significance. Today-s organizations
make use of computer-assisted “Management Information Systems"
in order to obtain and distribute information.
Decision Support System which is closely related to practice is an
information system that facilitates the director-s task of making
decisions. Decision Support System integrates human intelligence,
information technology and software in order to solve the complex
problems. With the support of the computer technology and software
systems, Decision Support System produces information relevant to
the decision to be made by the director and provides the executive
staff with supportive ideas about the decision.
Artificial Intelligence programs which transfer the studies and
experiences of the people to the computer are called expert systems.
An expert system stores expert information in a limited area and can
solve problems by deriving rational consequences.
Bureau management technologies and information systems in
developing countries create a kind of information society and
information economy which make those countries have their places
in the global socio-economic structure and which enable them to play
a reasonable and fruitful role; therefore it is of crucial importance to
make use of information and management technologies in order to
work together with innovative and enterprising individuals and it is
also significant to create “scientific policies" based on information
and technology in the fields of economy, politics, law and culture.
Abstract: We propose a control design scheme that aims to
prevent undesirable liquid outpouring and suppress sloshing during
the forward and backward tilting phases of the pouring process, for
the case of liquid containers carried by manipulators. The proposed
scheme combines a partial inverse dynamics controller with a PID
controller, tuned with the use of a “metaheuristic" search algorithm.
The “metaheuristic" search algorithm tunes the PID controller based
on simulation results of the plant-s linearization around the operating
point corresponding to the critical tilting angle, where outpouring
initiates. Liquid motion is modeled using the well-known pendulumtype
model. However, the proposed controller does not require
measurements of the liquid-s motion within the tank.
Abstract: Growth and mineral nutrient elemental content were
studied in Mokara chark kuan pink terrestrial orchid and wild
Lantana camara weed agroecosystem. The treated subplots were
encircled with L. camara plants and sprayed weekly with L. camara
10% leaf aqueous extract. Allelopathic interactions were possible
through extensive invading root of L. camara plants into the treated
orchid subplots and weekly L. camara leaf aqueous extract
sprayings. Orchid growth was not significantly different in between
the control and treated plots, but chlorosis and yellowish patches of
leaves were observed in control orchid leaves. Nitrogen content in L.
camara leaf was significantly higher than in orchid leaf, the order of
importance of mineral nutrient contents in L. camara leaf was
K>Mg>Na>N. In treated orchid leaf, the order of importance was
N>K>Mg>Na. Orchid leaf N content from the treated plot was
higher than control, but Mg and Na contents were almost similar.
Abstract: This paper focuses on cost and profit analysis of
single-server Markovian queuing system with two priority classes. In
this paper, functions of total expected cost, revenue and profit of the
system are constructed and subjected to optimization with respect to
its service rates of lower and higher priority classes. A computing
algorithm has been developed on the basis of fast converging
numerical method to solve the system of non linear equations formed
out of the mathematical analysis. A novel performance measure of
cost and profit analysis in view of its economic interpretation for the
system with priority classes is attempted to discuss in this paper. On
the basis of computed tables observations are also drawn to enlighten
the variational-effect of the model on the parameters involved
therein.
Abstract: The frequency contents of the non-stationary
signals vary with time. For proper characterization of such
signals, a smart time-frequency representation is necessary.
Classically, the STFT (short-time Fourier transform) is
employed for this purpose. Its limitation is the fixed timefrequency
resolution. To overcome this drawback an enhanced
STFT version is devised. It is based on the signal driven
sampling scheme, which is named as the cross-level sampling.
It can adapt the sampling frequency and the window function
(length plus shape) by following the input signal local
variations. This adaptation results into the proposed technique
appealing features, which are the adaptive time-frequency
resolution and the computational efficiency.
Abstract: The study of the stress distribution on a hollow
cylindrical fiber placed in a composite material is considered in this
work and an analytical solution for this stress distribution has been
constructed. Finally some parameters such as fiber-s thickness and
fiber-s length are considered and their effects on the distribution of
stress have been investigated. For finding the governing relations,
continuity equations for the axisymmetric problem in cylindrical
coordinate (r,o,z) are considered. Then by assuming some conditions
and solving the governing equations and applying the boundary
conditions, an equation relates the stress applied to the representative
volume element with the stress distribution on the fiber has been
found.
Abstract: The effect of seed inoculation by VA- mycorrhiza and
different levels of phosphorus fertilizer on growth and yield of
sunflower (Azargol cultivar) was studied in experiment farm of
Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch during 2008 growing season.
The experiment treatments were arranged in factorial based on a
complete randomized block design with three replications. Four
phosphorus fertilizer levels of 25%, 50% 75% and 100% P
recommended with two levels of Mycorrhiza: with and without
Mycorrhiza (control) were assigned in a factorial combination.
Results showed that head diameter, number of seeds in head, seed
yield and oil yield were significantly higher in inoculated plants than
in non-inoculated plants. Head diameter, number of seeds in head,
1000 seeds weight, biological yield, seed yield and oil yield increased
with increasing P level above 75% P recommended in non-inoculated
plants, whereas no significant difference was observed between 75%
and 100% P recommended. The positive effect of mycorrhizal
inoculation decreased with increasing P levels due to decreased
percent root colonization at higher P levels. According to the results
of this experiment, application of mycorrhiza in present of 50% P
recommended had an appropriate performance and could increase
seed yield and oil production to an acceptable level, so it could be
considered as a suitable substitute for chemical phosphorus fertilizer
in organic agricultural systems.
Abstract: An adaptive software reliability prediction model
using evolutionary connectionist approach based on Recurrent Radial
Basis Function architecture is proposed. Based on the currently
available software failure time data, Fuzzy Min-Max algorithm is
used to globally optimize the number of the k Gaussian nodes. The
corresponding optimized neural network architecture is iteratively
and dynamically reconfigured in real-time as new actual failure time
data arrives. The performance of our proposed approach has been
tested using sixteen real-time software failure data. Numerical results
show that our proposed approach is robust across different software
projects, and has a better performance with respect to next-steppredictability
compared to existing neural network model for failure
time prediction.
Abstract: For the electrical metrics that describe photovoltaic
cell performance are inherently multivariate in nature, use of a
univariate, or one variable, statistical process control chart can have
important limitations. Development of a comprehensive process
control strategy is known to be significantly beneficial to reducing
process variability that ultimately drives up the manufacturing cost
photovoltaic cells. The multivariate moving average or MMA chart,
is applied to the electrical metrics of photovoltaic cells to illustrate
the improved sensitivity on process variability this method of control
charting offers. The result show the ability of the MMA chart to
expand to as any variables as needed, suggests an application
with multiple photovoltaic electrical metrics being used in
concert to determine the processes state of control.
Abstract: We describe a novel method for removing noise (in wavelet domain) of unknown variance from microarrays. The method is based on a smoothing of the coefficients of the highest subbands. Specifically, we decompose the noisy microarray into wavelet subbands, apply smoothing within each highest subband, and reconstruct a microarray from the modified wavelet coefficients. This process is applied a single time, and exclusively to the first level of decomposition, i.e., in most of the cases, it is not necessary a multirresoltuion analysis. Denoising results compare favorably to the most of methods in use at the moment.
Abstract: The main aim of this study is to identify the most
influential variables that cause defects on the items produced by a
casting company located in Turkey. To this end, one of the items
produced by the company with high defective percentage rates is
selected. Two approaches-the regression analysis and decision treesare
used to model the relationship between process parameters and
defect types. Although logistic regression models failed, decision tree
model gives meaningful results. Based on these results, it can be
claimed that the decision tree approach is a promising technique for
determining the most important process variables.
Abstract: A generalization of the concepts of Feistel Networks (FN), known as Extended Feistel Network (EFN) is examined. EFN splits the input blocks into n > 2 sub-blocks. Like conventional FN, EFN consists of a series of rounds whereby at least one sub-block is subjected to an F function. The function plays a key role in the diffusion process due to its completeness property. It is also important to note that in EFN the F-function is the most computationally expensive operation in a round. The aim of this paper is to determine a suitable type of EFN for a scalable cipher. This is done by analyzing the threshold number of rounds for different types of EFN to achieve the completeness property as well as the number of F-function required in the network. The work focuses on EFN-Type I, Type II and Type III only. In the analysis it is found that EFN-Type II and Type III diffuses at the same rate and both are faster than Type-I EFN. Since EFN-Type-II uses less F functions as compared to EFN-Type III, therefore Type II is the most suitable EFN for use in a scalable cipher.