Abstract: Current proposals for E-passport or ID-Card is similar to a regular passport with the addition of tiny contactless integrated circuit (computer chip) inserted in the back cover, which will act as a secure storage device of the same data visually displayed on the photo page of the passport. In addition, it will include a digital photograph that will enable biometric comparison, through the use of facial recognition technology at international borders. Moreover, the e-passport will have a new interface, incorporating additional antifraud and security features. However, its problems are reliability, security and privacy. Privacy is a serious issue since there is no encryption between the readers and the E-passport. However, security issues such as authentication, data protection and control techniques cannot be embedded in one process. In this paper, design and prototype implementation of an improved E-passport reader is presented. The passport holder is authenticated online by using GSM network. The GSM network is the main interface between identification center and the e-passport reader. The communication data is protected between server and e-passport reader by using AES to encrypt data for protection will transferring through GSM network. Performance measurements indicate a 19% improvement in encryption cycles versus previously reported results.
Abstract: With a growing number of digital libraries and other
open education repositories being made available throughout the
world, effective search and retrieval tools are necessary to access the
desired materials that surpass the effectiveness of traditional, allinclusive
search engines. This paper discusses the design and use of
Folksemantic, a platform that integrates OpenCourseWare search,
Open Educational Resource recommendations, and social network
functionality into a single open source project. The paper describes
how the system was originally envisioned, its goals for users, and
data that provides insight into how it is actually being used. Data
sources include website click-through data, query logs, web server
log files and user account data. Based on a descriptive analysis of its
current use, modifications to the platform's design are recommended
to better address goals of the system, along with recommendations
for additional phases of research.
Abstract: Post-disaster reconstruction projects offer
opportunities to facilitate physical, social and economic development
and to reduce future hazard vulnerability long after the disasters.
Sustainability of post-disaster reconstruction project conducted in the
villages of Dinar following the 1995 earthquake was investigated in
this paper. Officials of the Government who were involved in the
project were interviewed. Besides, two field surveys were done in 12
villages of Dinar in winter months of 2008. Beneficiaries were
interviewed and physical, socio-cultural and economic impacts of the
reconstruction were examined. The research revealed that the postdisaster
reconstruction project has negative aspects from the point
view of sustainability. The physical, socio-cultural and economic
factors were not considered during decision making process of the
project.
Abstract: the article analyzes the national security as a scientific and practical problem, characterized by the state's political institutions to ensure effective action to maintain optimal conditions for the existence and development of the individual and society. National security, as a category of political science reflects the relationship between the security to the nation, including public relations and social consciousness, social institutions and their activities, ensuring the realization of national interests in a particular historical situation. In national security are three security levels: individual, society and state. Their role and place determined by the nature of social relations, political systems, the presence of internal and external threats. In terms of content in the concept of national security is taken to provide political, economic, military, environmental, information security and safety of the cultural development of the nation.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the inter
relationships among various leadership branding constructs of
entrepreneurs in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). We
employ a quantitative structural equation modeling through a new
leadership branding engagement model comprises constructs of
leader-s or entrepreneur-s personality, branding practice and
customer engagement. The results confirm that there are significant
relationships between the three constructs and the major fit indices
indicate that the data fits the proposed model. The findings provide
insights and fill in the literature gaps on statistically validated
representation of leadership branding for SMEs across new economic
regions of Malaysia that may implicate other economic zones with
similar situations. This study extends the establishment of a
leadership branding engagement model with a new mechanism of
using leaders- personality as a predictor to branding practice and
customer engagement performance.
Abstract: In-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) has been widely
used for source zone remediation of Dense Nonaqueous Phase
Liquids (DNAPLs) in subsurface environments. DNAPL source
zones for karst aquifers are generally located in epikarst where the
DNAPL mass is trapped either in karst soil or at the regolith contact
with carbonate bedrock. This study aims to investigate the
performance of oxidation of residual trichloroethylene found in such
environments by potassium permanganate. Batch and flow cell
experiments were conducted to determine the kinetics and the mass
removal rate of TCE. pH change, Cl production, TCE and MnO4
destruction were monitored routinely during experiments. Nonreactive
tracer tests were also conducted prior and after the oxidation
process to determine the influence of oxidation on flow conditions.
The results show that oxidant consumption rate of the calcareous
epikarst soil was significant and the oxidant demand was determined
to be 20 g KMnO4/kg soil. Oxidation rate of residual TCE (1.26x10-3
s-1) was faster than the oxidant consumption rate of the soil (2.54 -
2.92x10-4 s-1) at only high oxidant concentrations (> 40 mM
KMnO4). Half life of TCE oxidation ranged from 7.9 to 10.7 min.
Although highly significant fraction of residual TCE mass in the
system was destroyed by permanganate oxidation, TCE
concentration in the effluent remained above its MCL. Flow
interruption tests indicate that efficiency of ISCO was limited by the
rate of TCE dissolution and the rate-limited desorption of TCE. The
residence time and the initial concentration of the oxidant in the
source zone also controlled the efficiency of ISCO in epikarst.
Abstract: The DNA microarray technology concurrently monitors the expression levels of thousands of genes during significant biological processes and across the related samples. The better understanding of functional genomics is obtained by extracting the patterns hidden in gene expression data. It is handled by clustering which reveals natural structures and identify interesting patterns in the underlying data. In the proposed work clustering gene expression data is done through an Advanced Nelder Mead (ANM) algorithm. Nelder Mead (NM) method is a method designed for optimization process. In Nelder Mead method, the vertices of a triangle are considered as the solutions. Many operations are performed on this triangle to obtain a better result. In the proposed work, the operations like reflection and expansion is eliminated and a new operation called spread-out is introduced. The spread-out operation will increase the global search area and thus provides a better result on optimization. The spread-out operation will give three points and the best among these three points will be used to replace the worst point. The experiment results are analyzed with optimization benchmark test functions and gene expression benchmark datasets. The results show that ANM outperforms NM in both benchmarks.
Abstract: Motion sensors have been commonly used as a valuable component in mechatronic systems, however, many mechatronic designs and applications that need motion sensors cost enormous amount of money, especially high-tech systems. Design of a software for communication protocol between data acquisition card and motion sensor is another issue that has to be solved. This study presents how to design a low cost motion data acquisition setup consisting of MPU 6050 motion sensor (gyro and accelerometer in 3 axes) and Arduino Mega2560 microcontroller. Design parameters are calibration of the sensor, identification and communication between sensor and data acquisition card, interpretation of data collected by the sensor.
Abstract: Time-Cost Optimization "TCO" is one of the greatest challenges in construction project planning and control, since the optimization of either time or cost, would usually be at the expense of the other. Since there is a hidden trade-off relationship between project and cost, it might be difficult to predict whether the total cost would increase or decrease as a result of the schedule compression. Recently third dimension in trade-off analysis is taken into consideration that is quality of the projects. Few of the existing algorithms are applied in a case of construction project with threedimensional trade-off analysis, Time-Cost-Quality relationships. The objective of this paper is to presents the development of a practical software system; that named Automatic Multi-objective Typical Construction Resource Optimization System "AMTCROS". This system incorporates the basic concepts of Line Of Balance "LOB" and Critical Path Method "CPM" in a multi-objective Genetic Algorithms "GAs" model. The main objective of this system is to provide a practical support for typical construction planners who need to optimize resource utilization in order to minimize project cost and duration while maximizing its quality simultaneously. The application of these research developments in planning the typical construction projects holds a strong promise to: 1) Increase the efficiency of resource use in typical construction projects; 2) Reduce construction duration period; 3) Minimize construction cost (direct cost plus indirect cost); and 4) Improve the quality of newly construction projects. A general description of the proposed software for the Time-Cost-Quality Trade-Off "TCQTO" is presented. The main inputs and outputs of the proposed software are outlined. The main subroutines and the inference engine of this software are detailed. The complexity analysis of the software is discussed. In addition, the verification, and complexity of the proposed software are proved and tested using a real case study.
Abstract: The significance of environmental protection is wellknown in today's world. The execution of any program depends on sufficient knowledge and required familiarity with environment and its pollutants. Taking advantage of a systematic method, as a new science, in environmental planning can solve many problems. In this article, air pollution in Tehran and its relationship with health and population growth have been analyzed using dynamic systems. Firstly, by using casual loops, the relationship between the parameters effective on air pollution in Tehran were taken into consideration, then these casual loops were turned into flow diagrams [6], and finally, they were simulated using the software Vensim [16]in order to conclude what the effect of each parameter will be on air pollution in Tehran in the next 10 years, how changing of one or more parameters influences other parameters, and which parameter among all other parameters requires to be controlled more.
Abstract: This study aims to assess the potential of solar energy technology for improving access to water and hence the livelihood strategies of rural communities in Baja California Sur, Mexico. It focuses on livestock ranches and photovoltaic water-pumptechnology as well as other water extraction methods. The methodology used are the Sustainable Livelihoods and the Appropriate Technology approaches. A household survey was applied in June of 2006 to 32 ranches in the municipality, of which 22 used PV pumps; and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Findings indicate that solar pumps have in fact helped people improve their quality of life by allowing them to pursue a different livelihood strategy and that improved access to water -not necessarily as more water but as less effort to extract and collect it- does not automatically imply overexploitation of the resource; consumption is based on basic needs as well as on storage and pumping capacity. Justification for such systems lies in the avoidance of logistical problems associated to fossil fuels, PV pumps proved to be the most beneficial when substituting gasoline or diesel equipment but of dubious advantage if intended to replace wind or gravity systems. Solar water pumping technology-s main obstacle to dissemination are high investment and repairs costs and it is therefore not suitable for all cases even when insolation rates and water availability are adequate. In cases where affordability is not an obstacle it has become an important asset that contributes –by means of reduced expenses, less effort and saved time- to the improvement of livestock, the main livelihood provider for these ranches.
Abstract: The optimal control is one of the possible controllers
for a dynamic system, having a linear quadratic regulator and using
the Pontryagin-s principle or the dynamic programming method .
Stochastic disturbances may affect the coefficients (multiplicative
disturbances) or the equations (additive disturbances), provided that
the shocks are not too great . Nevertheless, this approach encounters
difficulties when uncertainties are very important or when the probability
calculus is of no help with very imprecise data. The fuzzy
logic contributes to a pragmatic solution of such a problem since it
operates on fuzzy numbers. A fuzzy controller acts as an artificial
decision maker that operates in a closed-loop system in real time.
This contribution seeks to explore the tracking problem and control
of dynamic macroeconomic models using a fuzzy learning algorithm.
A two inputs - single output (TISO) fuzzy model is applied to the
linear fluctuation model of Phillips and to the nonlinear growth model
of Goodwin.
Abstract: Optimization of a microwave-assisted extraction of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) fruit using methanol was studied. The influence of process parameters (microwave power, plant material-to-solvent ratio and the extraction time) on the extraction efficiency were optimized by using response surface methodology. The predicted maximum yield of extractive substances (41.85 g/100 g fresh plant material) was obtained at microwave power of 600 W and plant material to solvent ratio of 0.2 g/cm3 after 26 minutes of extraction, while a mean value of 40.80±0.41 g/100 g fresh plant material was obtained from laboratory experiments. This proves applicability of the model in predicting optimal extraction conditions with minimal laborious and time consuming. The results indicated that all process parameters were effective on the extraction efficiency, while the most important factor was extraction time. In order to rationalize production the optimal economical condition which gave a large total extract yield with minimal energy and solvent consumption was found.
Abstract: Creation and maintenance of knowledge management
systems has been recognized as an important research area.
Consecutively lack of accurate results from knowledge management
systems limits the organization to apply their knowledge
management processes. This leads to a failure in getting the right
information to the right people at the right time thus followed by a
deficiency in decision making processes. An Intranet offers a
powerful tool for communication and collaboration, presenting data
and information, and the means that creates and shares knowledge,
all in one easily accessible place. This paper proposes an archetype
describing how a knowledge management system, with the support
of intranet capabilities, could very much increase the accuracy of
capturing, storing and retrieving knowledge based processes thereby
increasing the efficiency of the system. This system will expect a
critical mass of usage, by the users, for intranet to function as
knowledge management systems. This prototype would lead to a
design of an application that would impose creation and maintenance
of an effective knowledge management system through intranet. The
aim of this paper is to introduce an effective system to handle
capture, store and distribute knowledge management in a form that
may not lead to any failure which exists in most of the systems. The
methodology used in the system would require all the employees, in
the organization, to contribute the maximum to deliver the system to
a successful arena. The system is still in its initial mode and thereby
the authors are under the process to practically implement the ideas,
as mentioned in the system, to produce satisfactory results.
Abstract: In this work, sorption of nickel from aqueous solution on hypnea valentiae, red macro algae, was investigated. Batch experiments have been carried out to find the effect of various parameters such as pH, temperature, sorbent dosage, metal concentration and contact time on the sorption of nickel using hypnea valentiae. Response surface methodology (RSM) is employed to optimize the process parameters. Based on the central composite design, quadratic model was developed to correlate the process variables to the response. The most influential factor on each experimental design response was identified from the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimum conditions for the sorption of nickel were found to be: pH – 5.1, temperature – 36.8oC, sorbent dosage – 5.1 g/L, metal concentration – 100 mg/L and contact time – 30 min. At these optimized conditions the maximum removal of nickel was found to be 91.97%. A coefficient of determination R2 value 0.9548 shows the fitness of response surface methodology in this work.
Abstract: In recent years there has been a continuous increase of
axle loads, tonnage, train speed and train length which has increased
both the productivity in the rail sector and the risk of rail breaks and
derailments. On the other hand, the environmental requirements (e.g.
noise reduction) for railway operations will become tighter in the
future. In our research we developed a new composite material which
does not change braking properties, is capable of taking extremely
high pressure loads, reduces noise and is environmentally friendly.
Part of our research was also the development of technology which
will be able to apply this material to the rail. The result of our
research was the system which reduces the wear out significantly and
almost completely eliminates the squealing noise at the same time,
and by using only one special material.
Abstract: Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is well
established machining technique mainly used to machine complex
geometries on difficult-to-machine materials and high strength
temperature resistant alloys. In the present research, the objective is
to study the shape of the electrode and establish the application of
liquid nitrogen in reducing distortion of the electrode during
electrical discharge machining of M2 grade high speed steel using
copper electrodes. Study of roundness was performed on the
electrode to observe the shape of the electrode for both conventional
EDM and EDM with cryogenically cooled electrode. Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM) has been used to study the shape of
electrode tip. The effect of various parameters such as discharge
current and pulse on time has been studied to understand the behavior
of distortion of electrode. It has been concluded that the shape
retention is better in case of liquid nitrogen cooled electrode.
Abstract: RFID system, in which we give identification number to each item and detect it with radio frequency, supports more variable service than barcode system can do. For example, a refrigerator with RFID reader and internet connection will automatically notify expiration of food validity to us. But, in spite of its convenience, RFID system has some security threats, because anybody can get ID information of item easily. One of most critical threats is privacy invasion. Existing privacy protection schemes or systems have been proposed, and these schemes or systems defend normal users from attempts that any attacker tries to get information using RFID tag value. But, these systems still have weakness that attacker can get information using analogous value instead of original tag value. In this paper, we mention this type of attack more precisely and suggest 'Tag Broker Model', which can defend it. Tag broker in this model translates original tag value to random value, and user can only get random value. Attacker can not use analogous tag value, because he/she is not able to know original one from it.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with calculating boiler
efficiency as one of the most important types of performance
measurements in any steam power plant. That has a key role in
determining the overall effectiveness of the whole system within the
power station. For this calculation, a Visual-Basic program was
developed, and a steam power plant known as El-Khmus power
plant, Libya was selected as a case study. The calculation of the
boiler efficiency was applied by using heating balance method. The
findings showed how the maximum heat energy which produced
from the boiler increases the boiler efficiency through increasing the
temperature of the feed water, and decreasing the exhaust
temperature along with humidity levels of the of fuel used within the
boiler.
Abstract: Public procurement is one of the most
important areas in the public sector that introduces a possibility for a
corruption. Due to the volume of the funds that are
allocated through this institution (in the EU countries it is between 10
– 15% of GDP), it has very serious implications for the efficiency of
public expenditures and the overall economic efficiency as
well. Indicators that are usually used for the measurement of the
corruption (such as Corruption Perceptions Index - CPI) show that
the worst situation is in the post-communist countries
and Mediterranean countries.
The presented paper uses the Czech Republic as an example of a
post-communist country and analyses the factors which influence
the scope of corruption in public procurement. Moreover, the
paper discusses indicators that could point at the public procurement
market inefficiency. The presented results show that post-communist
states use the institute of public contracts significantly more than the
old member countries of the continental Europe. It has a very
important implication because it gives more space for corruption.
Furthermore, it appears that the inefficient functioning of public
procurement market is clearly manifested in the low number of bids,
low level of market transparency and an ineffective control
system. Some of the observed indicators are statistically significantly
correlated with the CPI.