Abstract: This paper introduces a new method called ARPDC (Advanced Robust Parallel Distributed Compensation) for automatic control of nonlinear systems. This method improves a quality of robust control by interpolating of robust and optimal controller. The weight of each controller is determined by an original criteria function for model validity and disturbance appreciation. ARPDC method is based on nonlinear Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems and Parallel Distributed Compensation (PDC) control scheme. The relaxed stability conditions of ARPDC control of nominal system have been derived. The advantages of presented method are demonstrated on the inverse pendulum benchmark problem. From comparison between three different controllers (robust, optimal and ARPDC) follows, that ARPDC control is almost optimal with the robustness close to the robust controller. The results indicate that ARPDC algorithm can be a good alternative not only for a robust control, but in some cases also to an adaptive control of nonlinear systems.
Abstract: A digital system is proposed for low power 100-
channel neural recording system in this paper, which consists of 100
amplifiers, 100 analog-to-digital converters (ADC), digital controller
and baseband, transceiver for data link and RF command link. The
proposed system is designed in a 0.18 μm CMOS process and 65 nm
CMOS process.
Abstract: A Matlab based software for logistic regression is developed to enhance the process of teaching quantitative topics and assist researchers with analyzing wide area of applications where categorical data is involved. The software offers an option of performing stepwise logistic regression to select the most significant predictors. The software includes a feature to detect influential observations in data, and investigates the effect of dropping or misclassifying an observation on a predictor variable. The input data may consist either as a set of individual responses (yes/no) with the predictor variables or as grouped records summarizing various categories for each unique set of predictor variables' values. Graphical displays are used to output various statistical results and to assess the goodness of fit of the logistic regression model. The software recognizes possible convergence constraints when present in data, and the user is notified accordingly.
Abstract: Safety Health and Environment Code of Practice (SHE
COP) was developed to help road transportation operators to manage
its operation in a systematic and safe manner. A study was conducted
to determine the effectiveness of SHE COP implementation during
non-OPS period. The objective of the study is to evaluate the
implementations of SHE COP among bus operators during wee hour
operations. The data was collected by completing a set of checklist
after observing the activities during pre departure, during the trip, and
upon arrival. The results show that there are seven widely practiced
SHE COP elements. 22% of the buses have average speed exceeding
the maximum permissible speed on the highways (90 km/h), with
13% of the buses were travelling at the speed of more than 100 km/h.
The statistical analysis shows that there is only one significant
association which relates speeding with prior presence of
enforcement officers.
Abstract: Turbulent forced convection flow in a 2-dimensional channel over periodic grooves is numerically investigated. Finite volume method is used to study the effect of turbulence model. The range of Reynolds number varied from 10000 to 30000 for the ribheight to channel-height ratio (B/H) of 2. The downstream wall is heated by a uniform heat flux while the upstream wall is insulated. The investigation is analyzed with different types of nanoparticles such as SiO2, Al2O3, and ZnO, with water as a base fluid are used. The volume fraction is varied from 1% to 4% and the nanoparticle diameter is utilized between 20nm to 50nm. The results revealed 114% heat transfer enhancement compared to the water in a grooved channel by using SiO2 nanoparticle with volume fraction and nanoparticle diameter of 4% and 20nm respectively.
Abstract: Technology transfer of renewable energy technologies is very often unsuccessful in the developing world. Aside from challenges that have social, economic, financial, institutional and environmental dimensions, technology transfer has generally been misunderstood, and largely seen as mere delivery of high tech equipment from developed to developing countries or within the developing world from R&D institutions to society. Technology transfer entails much more, including, but not limited to: entire systems and their component parts, know-how, goods and services, equipment, and organisational and managerial procedures. Means to facilitate the successful transfer of energy technologies, including the sharing of lessons are subsequently extremely important for developing countries as they grapple with increasing energy needs to sustain adequate economic growth and development. Improving the success of technology transfer is an ongoing process as more projects are implemented, new problems are encountered and new lessons are learnt. Renewable energy is also critical to improve the quality of lives of the majority of people in developing countries. In rural areas energy is primarily traditional biomass. The consumption activities typically occur in an inefficient manner, thus working against the notion of sustainable development. This paper explores the implementation of technology transfer in the developing world (sub-Saharan Africa). The focus is necessarily on RETs since most rural energy initiatives are RETs-based. Additionally, it aims to highlight some lessons drawn from the cited RE projects and identifies notable differences where energy technology transfer was judged to be successful. This is done through a literature review based on a selection of documented case studies which are judged against the definition provided for technology transfer. This paper also puts forth research recommendations that might contribute to improved technology transfer in the developing world. Key findings of this paper include: Technology transfer cannot be complete without satisfying pre-conditions such as: affordability, maintenance (and associated plans), knowledge and skills transfer, appropriate know how, ownership and commitment, ability to adapt technology, sound business principles such as financial viability and sustainability, project management, relevance and many others. It is also shown that lessons are learnt in both successful and unsuccessful projects.
Abstract: Deep cold rolling (DCR) is a cold working process, which easily produces a smooth and work-hardened surface by plastic deformation of surface irregularities. In the present study, the influence of main deep cold rolling process parameters on the surface roughness and the hardness of AISI 4140 steel were studied by using fractional factorial design of experiments. The assessment of the surface integrity aspects on work material was done, in terms of identifying the predominant factor amongst the selected parameters, their order of significance and setting the levels of the factors for minimizing surface roughness and/or maximizing surface hardness. It was found that the ball diameter, rolling force, initial surface roughness and number of tool passes are the most pronounced parameters, which have great effects on the work piece-s surface during the deep cold rolling process. A simple, inexpensive and newly developed DCR tool, with interchangeable collet for using different ball diameters, was used throughout the experimental work presented in this paper.
Abstract: Numerical calculations of flow around a square cylinder are presented using the multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method at Reynolds number 150. The effects of upstream locations, downstream locations and blockage are investigated systematically. A detail analysis are given in terms of time-trace analysis of drag and lift coefficients, power spectra analysis of lift coefficient, vorticity contours visualizations and phase diagrams. A number of physical quantities mean drag coefficient, drag coefficient, Strouhal number and root-mean-square values of drag and lift coefficients are calculated and compared with the well resolved experimental data and numerical results available in open literature. The results had shown that the upstream, downstream and height of the computational domain are at least 7.5, 37.5 and 12 diameters of the cylinder, respectively.
Abstract: Global environmental changes lead to increased frequency and scale of natural disaster, Taiwan is under the influence of global warming and extreme weather. Therefore, the vulnerability was increased and variability and complexity of disasters is relatively enhanced. The purpose of this study is to consider the source and magnitude of hazard characteristics on the tourism industry. Using modern risk management concepts, integration of related domestic and international basic research, this goes beyond the Taiwan typhoon disaster risk assessment model and evaluation of loss. This loss evaluation index system considers the impact of extreme weather, in particular heavy rain on the tourism industry in Taiwan. Consider the extreme climate of the compound impact of disaster for the tourism industry; we try to make multi-hazard risk assessment model, strategies and suggestions. Related risk analysis results are expected to provide government department, the tourism industry asset owners, insurance companies and banking include tourist disaster risk necessary information to help its tourism industry for effective natural disaster risk management.
Abstract: The main aim of this study was to examine whether
people understand indicative conditionals on the basis of syntactic
factors or on the basis of subjective conditional probability. The
second aim was to investigate whether the conditional probability of
q given p depends on the antecedent and consequent sizes or derives
from inductive processes leading to establish a link of plausible cooccurrence
between events semantically or experientially associated.
These competing hypotheses have been tested through a 3 x 2 x 2 x 2
mixed design involving the manipulation of four variables: type of
instructions (“Consider the following statement to be true", “Read the
following statement" and condition with no conditional statement);
antecedent size (high/low); consequent size (high/low); statement
probability (high/low). The first variable was between-subjects, the
others were within-subjects. The inferences investigated were Modus
Ponens and Modus Tollens. Ninety undergraduates of the Second
University of Naples, without any prior knowledge of logic or
conditional reasoning, participated in this study.
Results suggest that people understand conditionals in a syntactic
way rather than in a probabilistic way, even though the perception of
the conditional probability of q given p is at least partially involved in
the conditionals- comprehension. They also showed that, in presence
of a conditional syllogism, inferences are not affected by the
antecedent or consequent sizes. From a theoretical point of view these
findings suggest that it would be inappropriate to abandon the idea
that conditionals are naturally understood in a syntactic way for the
idea that they are understood in a probabilistic way.
Abstract: In this paper, the torsion capacity of ultimate point on rectangular beams with spiral reinforcements in the torsion direction and its anti-direction are investigated. Therefore, models of above-mentioned beams have been numerically analyzed under various loads using ANSYS software. It was observed that, spirallyreinforced prismatic beam and beam with spiral links, show lower torsion capacity than beam with normal links also in anti-direction. The result is that the concrete regulations are violated in this case.
Abstract: This study applied the Gaussian trajectory
transfer-coefficient model (GTx) to simulate the particulate matter
concentrations and the source apportionments at Nanzih Air Quality
Monitoring Station in southern Taiwan from November 2007 to
February 2008. The correlation coefficient between the observed and
the calculated daily PM10 concentrations is 0.5 and the absolute bias of
the PM10 concentrations is 24%. The simulated PM10 concentrations
matched well with the observed data. Although the emission rate of
PM10 was dominated by area sources (58%), the results of source
apportionments indicated that the primary sources for PM10 at Nanzih
Station were point sources (42%), area sources (20%) and then upwind
boundary concentration (14%). The obvious difference of PM10 source
apportionment between episode and non-episode days was upwind
boundary concentrations which contributed to 20% and 11% PM10
sources, respectively. The gas-particle conversion of secondary
aerosol and long range transport played crucial roles on the PM10
contribution to a receptor.
Abstract: The aim of this work is to analyze a viscous flow in
the axisymmetric nozzle taken into account the mesh size both in the
free stream and into the boundary layer. The resolution of the Navier-
Stokes equations is realized by using the finite volume method to
determine the supersonic flow parameters at the exit of convergingdiverging
nozzle. The numerical technique uses the Flux Vector
Splitting method of Van Leer. Here, adequate time stepping
parameter, along with CFL coefficient and mesh size level is selected
to ensure numerical convergence. The effect of the boundary layer
thickness is significant at the exit of the nozzle. The best solution is
obtained with using a very fine grid, especially near the wall, where
we have a strong variation of velocity, temperature and shear stress.
This study enabled us to confirm that the determination of boundary
layer thickness can be obtained only if the size of the mesh is lower
than a certain value limits given by our calculations.
Abstract: Human always tried to create a suitable situation for their life according to environmental conditions. In fact, geography has an important role in the shape of our living area. Iran also as a four-season country has different climate type: hot and humid, hot and dry, mid and humid, and cold; therefore, we can find different architecture styles in Iran. Gilan-s traditional architecture is a suitable sample of sustainable construction in Iran. Because the main factors of every dwelling are the climatic, social, economic and cultural effects which demonstrate the interaction between environment and people settlement. This paper was determined the interaction between environmental factors and the rural dwellings in the Gilan province. Also, traditional village (city) of Masouleh as a rare sample of rural and sustainable architecture was introduced.
Abstract: One of the most challengeable issues in ESL
(Electronic System Level) design is the lack of a general modeling
scheme for on chip communication architecture. In this paper some
of the mostly used methodologies for modeling and representation of
on chip communication are investigated. Our goal is studying the
existing methods to extract the requirements of a general
representation scheme for communication architecture synthesis. The
next step, will be introducing a modeling and representation method
for being used in automatically synthesis process of on chip
communication architecture.
Abstract: The evolution of current modeling specifications gives rise to the problem of generating automated test cases from a variety of application tools. Past endeavours on behavioural testing of UML statecharts have not systematically leveraged the potential of existing graph theory for testing of objects. Therefore there exists a need for a simple, tool-independent, and effective method for automatic test generation. An architecture, codenamed ACUTE-J (Automated stateChart Unit Testing Engine for Java), for automating the unit test generation process is presented. A sequential approach for converting UML statechart diagrams to JUnit test classes is described, with the application of existing graph theory. Research byproducts such as a universal XML Schema and API for statechart-driven testing are also proposed. The result from a Java implementation of ACUTE-J is discussed in brief. The Chinese Postman algorithm is utilised as an illustration for a run-through of the ACUTE-J architecture.
Abstract: In this paper, we study FPGA implementation of a
novel supra-optimal receiver diversity combining technique,
generalized maximal ratio combining (GMRC), for wireless
transmission over fading channels in SIMO systems. Prior
published results using ML-detected GMRC diversity signal
driven by BPSK showed superior bit error rate performance to
the widely used MRC combining scheme in an imperfect
channel estimation (ICE) environment. Under perfect channel
estimation conditions, the performance of GMRC and MRC
were identical. The main drawback of the GMRC study was
that it was theoretical, thus successful FPGA implementation
of it using pipeline techniques is needed as a wireless
communication test-bed for practical real-life situations.
Simulation results showed that the hardware implementation
was efficient both in terms of speed and area. Since diversity
combining is especially effective in small femto- and picocells,
internet-associated wireless peripheral systems are to
benefit most from GMRC. As a result, many spinoff
applications can be made to the hardware of IP-based 4th
generation networks.
Abstract: Having considered tactile sensing and palpation of a
surgeon in order to detect kidney stone during open surgery; we
present the 2D model of nephrolithiasis (two dimensional model of
kidney containing a simulated stone). The effects of stone existence
that appear on the surface of kidney (because of exerting mechanical
load) are determined. Using Finite element method, it is illustrated
that the created stress patterns on the surface of kidney and stress
graphs not only show existence of stone inside kidney, but also show
its exact location.
Abstract: An investigation of the process of deformation hardening and evolution of deformation defect medium in dispersion-hardened materials with face centered cubic matrices and nanoparticles was done. Mathematical model including balance equation for the deformation defects was used.
Abstract: The most common type of controller being used in
the industry is PI(D) controller which has been used since 1945 and
is still being widely used due to its efficiency and simplicity. In
most cases, the PI(D) controller was tuned without taking into
consideration of the effect of actuator saturation. In real processes,
the most common actuator which is valve will act as constraint and
restrict the controller output. Since the controller is not designed to
encounter saturation, the process may windup and consequently
resulted in large oscillation or may become unstable. Usually, an
antiwindup compensator is added to the feedback control loop to
reduce the deterioration effect of integral windup. This research
aims to specifically control processes with constraints. The
proposed method was applied to two different types of food
processes, which are blending and spray drying. Simulations were
done using MATLAB and the performances of the proposed
method were compared with other conventional methods. The
proposed technique was able to control the processes and avoid
saturation such that no anti windup compensator is needed.