Abstract: The bridge vibration due to traffic loading has been a
subject of extensive research during the last decades. A number of
these studies are concerned with the effects of the unevenness of
roadways on the dynamic responses of highway bridges. The road
unevenness is often described as a random process that constitutes
of different wavelengths. Thus, the study focuses on examining
the effects of the random description of roadways on the dynamic
response and its variance. A new setting of variance based sensitivity
analysis is proposed and used to identify and quantify the
contributions of the roadway-s wavelengths to the variance of the
dynamic response. Furthermore, the effect of the vehicle-s speed on
the dynamic response is studied.
Abstract: As the world changes more rapidly, the demand for update information for resource management, environment monitoring, planning are increasing exponentially. Integration of Remote Sensing with GIS technology will significantly promote the ability for addressing these concerns. This paper presents an alternative way of update GIS applications using image processing and high resolution images. We show a method of high-resolution image segmentation using graphs and morphological operations, where a preprocessing step (watershed operation) is required. A morphological process is then applied using the opening and closing operations. After this segmentation we can extract significant cartographic elements such as urban areas, streets or green areas. The result of this segmentation and this extraction is then used to update GIS applications. Some examples are shown using aerial photography.
Abstract: In order to derive important parameters concerning
mobile subscriber MS with ongoing calls in Low Earth Orbit Mobile
Satellite Systems LEO MSSs, a positioning system had to be
integrated into MSS in order to localize mobile subscribers MSs and
track them during the connection. Such integration is regarded as a
complex implementation. We propose in this paper a novel method
based on advantages of mobility model of Low Earth Orbit Mobile
Satellite System LEO MSS which allows the evaluation of instant of
subsequent handover of a MS even if its location is unknown. This
method is utilized to propose a Dynamic Channel Reservation DCRlike
scheme based on the DCR scheme previously proposed in
literature. Results presented show that DCR-like technique gives
different QoS performance than DCR. Indeed, an improve in
handover blocking probability and an increase in new call blocking
probability are observed for the DCR-like technique.
Abstract: Several optimization algorithms specifically applied to
the problem of Operation Planning of Hydrothermal Power Systems
have been developed and are used. Although providing solutions to
various problems encountered, these algorithms have some
weaknesses, difficulties in convergence, simplification of the original
formulation of the problem, or owing to the complexity of the
objective function. Thus, this paper presents the development of a
computational tool for solving optimization problem identified and to
provide the User an easy handling. Adopted as intelligent
optimization technique, Genetic Algorithms and programming
language Java. First made the modeling of the chromosomes, then
implemented the function assessment of the problem and the
operators involved, and finally the drafting of the graphical interfaces
for access to the User. The program has managed to relate a coherent
performance in problem resolution without the need for
simplification of the calculations together with the ease of
manipulating the parameters of simulation and visualization of output
results.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the selfefficacy
and life satisfaction levels of students receiving education in
schools of physical education and sports. The population of the study
consisted 263 students, among which 154 were male and 109 were
female ( X age=19,4905 + 2,5605), that received education in the
schools of physical education and sports of Selcuk University, Inonu
University, Gazi University and Karamanoglu Mehmetbey
University. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the selfefficacy
scale, which was developed by Jarrusselam and Shwarzer
(1981) [1] and adapted to Turkish by Yesillay (1993) [2], and the
life satisfaction scale, developed by Diener, Emmos, Larsen and
Griffin (1985) [3] and adapted to Turkish by Kokler (1991) [4], were
utilized.For analyzing and interpreting data Kolmogorov-Smirnov
test, t-test and one way anova test were used, while for determining
the difference between the groups Tukey test and Multiple Linear
Regression test were employed and significance was accepted at
P
Abstract: The Cluster Dimension of a network is defined as, which is the minimum cardinality of a subset S of the set of nodes having the property that for any two distinct nodes x and y, there exist the node Si, s2 (need not be distinct) in S such that ld(x,s1) — d(y, s1)1 > 1 and d(x,s2) < d(x,$) for all s E S — {s2}. In this paper, strictly non overlap¬ping clusters are constructed. The concept of LandMarks for Unique Addressing and Clustering (LMUAC) routing scheme is developed. With the help of LMUAC routing scheme, It is shown that path length (upper bound)PLN,d < PLD, Maximum memory space requirement for the networkMSLmuAc(Az) < MSEmuAc < MSH3L < MSric and Maximum Link utilization factor MLLMUAC(i=3) < MLLMUAC(z03) < M Lc
Abstract: Foodborne Salmonella infections have become a
major problem world wide. Salmonellosis transmitted from fish are
quite common. Established quality control measures exist for export
oriented fish, none exists for fish consumed locally. This study aimed
at characterization of Salmonella isolated from Nile tilapia . The
study was carried out in selected beaches along L. Victoria in
Western Kenya between March and June 2007. One hundred and
twenty fish specimens were collected. Salmonella isolates were
confirmed using serotyping, biochemical testing in addition to malic
acid dehydrogenase (mdh) and fliC gene sequencing. Twenty
Salmonella isolates were confirmed by mdh gene sequencing. Nine
(9) were S. enterica serotype typhimurium, four (4) were S. enterica
Serotype, enteritidis and seven (7) were S. enterica serotype typhi.
Nile tilapia have a role in transmission of Salmonellosis in the study
area, poor sanitation was a major cause of pollution at the beach
inshore waters.
Abstract: The aim of this work is to investigate on the internalflow
patterns in a plate heat exchanger channel, which affect the
rate of sedimentation fouling on the heat transfer surface of the
plate heat exchanger. The research methodologies were the
computer simulation using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
and the experimental works. COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS™
Version 3.3 was used to simulate the velocity flow fields to verify
the low and high flow regions. The results from the CFD technique
were then compared with the images obtained from the
experiments in which the fouling test rig was set up with a singlechannel
plate heat exchanger to monitor the fouling of calcium
carbonate. Two parameters were varied i.e., the crossing angle of
the two plate: 55/55, 10/10, and 55/10 degree, and the fluid flow
rate at the inlet: 0.0566, 0.1132 and 0.1698 m/s. The type of plate
“GX-12" (the surface area 0.12 m2, the depth 2.9 mm, the width of
fluid flow 215 mm and the thickness of stainless plate of 0.5 mm)
was used in this study. The results indicated that the velocity
distribution for the case of 55/55 degree seems to be very well
organized when compared with the others. Also, an increase in the
inlet velocity resulted in the reduction of fouling rate on the surface
of plate heat exchangers.
Abstract: This study suggests how an order-receiving company
can avoid disclosing schedule information on unit tasks to the
order-placing company when carrying out a collaborative project on
the value chain in an order-oriented industry. Specifically, it suggests
methods for keeping schedule information confidential, and
categorizes potential situations by inter-task dependency. Lastly, an
approach to select the most optimal non-disclosure method is
discussed. With the methods for not disclosing work-related
information suggested in the study, order-receiving companies can
logically deal with political issues relating to the question of whether
or not to disclose information upon the execution of a collaborative
project in cooperation with an order-placing firm. Moreover,
order-placing companies can monitor undistorted information, while
respecting the legitimate rights of an order-receiving company.
Therefore, it is fair to say that the suggestions made in this study will
contribute to the smooth operation of collaborative intercompany
projects.
Abstract: In order to monitor for traffic traversal, sensors can be
deployed to perform collaborative target detection. Such a sensor
network achieves a certain level of detection performance with the
associated costs of deployment and routing protocol. This paper
addresses these two points of sensor deployment and routing algorithm
in the situation where the absolute quantity of sensors or total energy
becomes insufficient. This discussion on the best deployment system
concluded that two kinds of deployments; Normal and Power law
distributions, show 6 and 3 times longer than Random distribution in
the duration of coverage, respectively. The other discussion on routing
algorithm to achieve good performance in each deployment system
was also addressed. This discussion concluded that, in place of the
traditional algorithm, a new algorithm can extend the time of coverage
duration by 4 times in a Normal distribution, and in the circumstance
where every deployed sensor operates as a binary model.
Abstract: Most of the collision warning systems currently
available in the automotive market are mainly designed to warn
against imminent rear-end and lane-changing collisions. No collision
warning system is commercially available to warn against imminent
turning collisions at intersections, especially for left-turn collisions
when a driver attempts to make a left-turn at either a signalized or
non-signalized intersection, conflicting with the path of other
approaching vehicles traveling on the opposite-direction traffic
stream. One of the major factors that lead to left-turn collisions is the
human error and misjudgment of the driver of the turning vehicle
when perceiving the speed and acceleration of other vehicles
traveling on the opposite-direction traffic stream; therefore, using a
properly-designed collision warning system will likely reduce, or
even eliminate, this type of collisions by reducing human error. This
paper introduces perceptual framework for a proposed collision
warning system that can detect imminent left-turn collisions at
intersections. The system utilizes a commercially-available detection
sensor (either a radar sensor or a laser detector) to detect approaching
vehicles traveling on the opposite-direction traffic stream and
calculate their speeds and acceleration rates to estimate the time-tocollision
and compare that time to the time required for the turning
vehicle to clear the intersection. When calculating the time required
for the turning vehicle to clear the intersection, consideration is given
to the perception-reaction time of the driver of the turning vehicle,
which is the time required by the driver to perceive the message
given by the warning system and react to it by engaging the throttle.
A regression model was developed to estimate perception-reaction
time based on age and gender of the driver of the host vehicle.
Desired acceleration rate selected by the driver of the turning vehicle,
when making the left-turn movement, is another human factor that is
considered by the system. Another regression model was developed
to estimate the acceleration rate selected by the driver of the turning
vehicle based on driver-s age and gender as well as on the location
and speed of the nearest approaching vehicle along with the
maximum acceleration rate provided by the mechanical
characteristics of the turning vehicle. By comparing time-to-collision
with the time required for the turning vehicle to clear the intersection,
the system displays a message to the driver of the turning vehicle
when departure is safe. An application example is provided to
illustrate the logic algorithm of the proposed system.
Abstract: The Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling
Problem (RCPSP) is concerned with single-item or small batch
production where limited resources have to be allocated to dependent
activities over time. Over the past few decades, a lot of work has
been made with the use of optimal solution procedures for this basic
problem type and its extensions. Brucker and Knust[1] discuss, how
timetabling problems can be modeled as a RCPSP. Authors discuss
high school timetabling and university course timetabling problem as
an example. We have formulated two mathematical formulations of
course timetabling problem in a new way which are the prototype of
single-mode RCPSP. Our focus is to show, how course timetabling
problem can be transformed into RCPSP. We solve this
transformation model with genetic algorithm.
Abstract: This article provides a comparative analysis of poetries of diverse nations around the world while largely focusing on Kazakh lyric poetry (Kazakh zhyraulyq oneri). Alongside, it sheds the light to the historical development and contemporary progress path of foremost poetry school located along the Syr Darya coast. Hereby, it-s content and central motives are examined.
Abstract: In an electric power system, spinning reserve
requirements can be determined by using deterministic and/or
probabilistic measures. Although deterministic methods are usual in
many systems, application of probabilistic methods becomes
increasingly important in the new environment of the electric power
utility industry. This is because of the increased uncertainty
associated with competition. In this paper 1) a new probabilistic
method is presented which considers the reliability of transmission
system in a simplified manner and 2) deterministic and probabilistic
methods are compared. The studied methods are applied to the Roy
Billinton Test System (RBTS).
Abstract: Thailand is one of the world-s leaders of rice
producers and exporters. Farmers have to increase the rice cultivation
frequency for serving the national increasing of export-s demand. It
leads to an elimination of rice residues by open burning which is the
quickest and costless management method. The open burning of rice
residue is one of the major causes of air pollutants and greenhouse
gas (GHG) emission. Under ASEAN agreement on trans-boundary
haze, Thailand set the master plan to mitigate air pollutant emission
from open burning of agricultural residues. In this master plan,
residues incorporation is promoted as alternative management
method to open burning. However, the assessment of both options in
term of GHG emission in order to investigate their contribution to
long-term global warming is still scarce or inexistent. In this study, a
method on rice residues assessment was first developed in order to
estimate and compare GHG emissions from rice cultivation under
rice residues open burning and the case with incorporation of the
same amount of rice residues, using 2006 IPCC guidelines for
emission estimation and Life Cycle Analysis technique. The
emission from rice cultivation in different preparing area practice
was also discussed.
Abstract: By analyzing the sources of energy and power
loss in PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) controlled drivers of
water electrolysis cells, it is possible to reduce the power
dissipation and enhance the efficiency of such hydrogen
production units. A PWM controlled power driver is based on
a semiconductor switching element where its power
dissipation might be a remarkable fraction of the total power
demand of an electrolysis system. Power dissipation in a
semiconductor switching element is related to many different
parameters which could be fitted into two main categories:
switching losses and conduction losses. Conduction losses are
directly related to the built, structure and capabilities of a
switching device itself and indeed the conditions in which the
element is handling the switching application such as voltage,
current, temperature and of course the fabrication technology.
On the other hand, switching losses have some other
influencing variables other than the mentioned such as control
system, switching method and power electronics circuitry of
the PWM power driver. By analyzings the characteristics of
recently developed power switching transistors from different
families of Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT), Metal Oxide
Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFET) and
Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT), some
recommendations are made in this paper which are able to
lead to achieve higher hydrogen production efficiency by
utilizing PWM controlled water electrolysis cells.
Abstract: Supply chain consists of all stages involved, directly
or indirectly, includes all functions involved in fulfilling a customer
demand. In two stage transportation supply chain problem,
transportation costs are of a significant proportion of final product
costs. It is often crucial for successful decisions making approaches
in two stage supply chain to explicit account for non-linear
transportation costs. In this paper, deterministic demand and finite
supply of products was considered. The optimized distribution level
and the routing structure from the manufacturing plants to the
distribution centres and to the end customers is determined using
developed mathematical model and solved by proposed particle
swarm optimization based genetic algorithm. Numerical analysis of
the case study is carried out to validate the model.
Abstract: In this paper we present an extension to Vision Based
LRTA* (VLRTA*) known as Vision Based Moving Target Search
(VMTS) for capturing unknown moving target in unknown territory
with randomly generated obstacles. Target position is unknown to the
agents and they cannot predict its position using any probability
method. Agents have omni directional vision but can see in one
direction at some point in time. Agent-s vision will be blocked by the
obstacles in the search space so agent can not see through the
obstacles. Proposed algorithm is evaluated on large number of
scenarios. Scenarios include grids of sizes from 10x10 to 100x100.
Grids had obstacles randomly placed, occupying 0% to 50%, in
increments of 10%, of the search space. Experiments used 2 to 9
agents for each randomly generated maze with same obstacle ratio.
Observed results suggests that VMTS is effective in locate target
time, solution quality and virtual target. In addition, VMTS becomes
more efficient if the number of agents is increased with proportion to
obstacle ratio.
Abstract: In intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
treatment planning, beam angles are usually preselected on the basis of
experience and intuition. Therefore, getting an appropriate beam
configuration needs a very long time. Based on the present situation,
the paper puts forward beam orientation optimization using ant colony
optimization (ACO). We use ant colony optimization to select the
beam configurations, after getting the beam configuration using
Conjugate Gradient (CG) algorithm to optimize the intensity profiles.
Combining with the information of the effect of pencil beam, we can
get the global optimal solution accelerating. In order to verify the
feasibility of the presented method, a simulated and clinical case was
tested, compared with dose-volume histogram and isodose line
between target area and organ at risk. The results showed that the
effect was improved after optimizing beam configurations. The
optimization approach could make treatment planning meet clinical
requirements more efficiently, so it had extensive application
perspective.
Abstract: The massive proliferation of affordable computers, Internet broadband connectivity and rich education content has created a global phenomenon in which information and communication technology (ICT) is being used to transform education. Therefore, there is a need to redesign the educational system to meet the needs better. The advent of computers with sophisticated software has made it possible to solve many complex problems very fast and at a lower cost. This paper introduces the characteristics of the current E-Learning and then analyses the concept of cloud computing and describes the architecture of cloud computing platform by combining the features of E-Learning. The authors have tried to introduce cloud computing to e-learning, build an e-learning cloud, and make an active research and exploration for it from the following aspects: architecture, construction method and external interface with the model.