Abstract: The aim of this paper is to experimentally discover the workability coefficient of the Inconel 718 material by using a slide turning machining. Two different types of cutting inserts, one made of carbide and the other one made of ceramic, are being used. The purpose is to compare measured results and recommend the appropriate materials and cutting parameters for a machining of the Inconel 718. Furthermore, the durability of inserts with the chosen wear criterion is being compared for different cutting speeds. Machinability of these materials is a crucial characteristic as it allows us to shorten the technological cycle time and increase the machining productivity. And this is of great importance from an economic point of view.
Abstract: The increasing development of wireless networks and
the widespread popularity of handheld devices such as Personal
Digital Assistants (PDAs), mobile phones and wireless tablets
represents an incredible opportunity to enable mobile devices as a
universal payment method, involving daily financial transactions.
Unfortunately, some issues hampering the widespread acceptance of
mobile payment such as accountability properties, privacy protection,
limitation of wireless network and mobile device. Recently, many
public-key cryptography based mobile payment protocol have been
proposed. However, limited capabilities of mobile devices and
wireless networks make these protocols are unsuitable for mobile
network. Moreover, these protocols were designed to preserve
traditional flow of payment data, which is vulnerable to attack and
increase the user-s risk. In this paper, we propose a private mobile
payment protocol which based on client centric model and by
employing symmetric key operations. The proposed mobile payment
protocol not only minimizes the computational operations and
communication passes between the engaging parties, but also
achieves a completely privacy protection for the payer. The future
work will concentrate on improving the verification solution to
support mobile user authentication and authorization for mobile
payment transactions.
Abstract: Knowledge is a key asset for any organisation to
sustain competitive advantages, but it is difficult to identify and
represent knowledge which is needed to perform activities in
business processes. The effective knowledge management and
support for relevant business activities definitely gives a huge impact
to the performance of the organisation as a whole. This is because
that knowledge have the functions of directing, coordinating and
controlling actions within business processes. The study has
introduced organisational morphology, a norm-based approach by
applying semiotic theories which emphasise on the representation of
knowledge in norms. This approach is concerned with the
identification of activities into three categories: substantive,
communication and control activities. All activities are directed by
norms; hence three types of norms exist; each is associated to a
category of activities. The paper describes the approach briefly and
illustrates the application of this approach through a case study of
academic activities in higher education institutions. The result of the
study shows that the approach provides an effective way to profile
business knowledge and the profile enables the understanding and
specification of business requirements of an organisation.
Abstract: Nonspecific protein adsorption generally occurs on
any solid surfaces and usually has adverse consequences. Adsorption
of proteins onto a solid surface is believed to be the initial and
controlling step in biofouling. Surfaces modified with end-tethered
poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been shown to be protein-resistant
to some degree. In this study, the adsorption of β-casein and
lysozyme was performed on 6 different types of surfaces where PEG
was tethered onto stainless steel by polyethylene imine (PEI) through
either OH or NHS end groups. Protein adsorption was also performed
on the bare stainless steel surface as a control. The adsorption was
conducted at 23 °C and pH 7.2. In situ QCM-D was used to
determine PEG adsorption kinetics, plateau PEG chain densities,
protein adsorption kinetics and plateau protein adsorbed quantities.
PEG grafting density was the highest for a NHS coupled chain,
around 0.5 chains / nm2. Interestingly, lysozyme which has smaller
size than β-casein, appeared to adsorb much less mass than that of β-
casein. Overall, the surface with high PEG grafting density exhibited
a good protein rejection.
Abstract: Due to the limited energy resources, energy efficient operation of sensor node is a key issue in wireless sensor networks. Clustering is an effective method to prolong the lifetime of energy constrained wireless sensor network. However, clustering in wireless sensor network faces several challenges such as selection of an optimal group of sensor nodes as cluster, optimum selection of cluster head, energy balanced optimal strategy for rotating the role of cluster head in a cluster, maintaining intra and inter cluster connectivity and optimal data routing in the network. In this paper, we propose a protocol supporting an energy efficient clustering, cluster head selection/rotation and data routing method to prolong the lifetime of sensor network. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed protocol prolongs network lifetime due to the use of efficient clustering, cluster head selection/rotation and data routing.
Abstract: Climate change has profound consequences for the agriculture of south-eastern Australia and its climate-induced water shortage in the Murray-Darling Basin. Post Keynesian Economics (PKE) macro-dynamics, along with Kaleckian investment and growth theory, are used to develop an ecological-economic system dynamics model of this complex nonlinear river basin system. The Murray- Darling Basin Simulation Model (MDB-SM) uses the principles of PKE to incorporate the fundamental uncertainty of economic behaviors of farmers regarding the investments they make and the climate change they face, particularly as regards water ecosystem services. MDB-SM provides a framework for macroeconomic policies, especially for long-term fiscal policy and for policy directed at the sustainability of agricultural water, as measured by socio-economic well-being considerations, which include sustainable consumption and investment in the river basin. The model can also reproduce other ecological and economic aspects and, for certain parameters and initial values, exhibit endogenous business cycles and ecological sustainability with realistic characteristics. Most importantly, MDBSM provides a platform for the analysis of alternative economic policy scenarios. These results reveal the importance of understanding water ecosystem adaptation under climate change by integrating a PKE macroeconomic analytical framework with the system dynamics modelling approach. Once parameterised and supplied with historical initial values, MDB-SM should prove to be a practical tool to provide alternative long-term policy simulations of agricultural water and socio-economic well-being.
Abstract: The article deals with experimental and numerical
investigation of axi-symmetric subsonic air to air ejector with
diffuser adapted for boundary layer suction. The diffuser, which is
placed behind the mixing chamber of the ejector, has high divergence
angle and therefore low efficiency. To increase the efficiency, the
diffuser is equipped with slot enabling boundary layer suction. The
effect of boundary layer suction on flow in ejector, static pressure
distribution on the mixing chamber wall and characteristic were
measured and studied numerically. Both diffuser and ejector
efficiency were evaluated. The diffuser efficiency was increased,
however, the efficiency of ejector itself remained low.
Abstract: This paper proposes an algorithm which automatically aligns and stitches the component medical images (fluoroscopic) with varying degrees of overlap into a single composite image. The alignment method is based on similarity measure between the component images. As applied here the technique is intensity based rather than feature based. It works well in domains where feature based methods have difficulty, yet more robust than traditional correlation. Component images are stitched together using the new triangular averaging based blending algorithm. The quality of the resultant image is tested for photometric inconsistencies and geometric misalignments. This method cannot correct rotational, scale and perspective artifacts.
Abstract: Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) blanched for 20min was dehulled and milled into flour. The flour was incorporated into dried whole fermented maize (Ogi) at five levels. The resultant products were analyzed for chemical and pasting properties. The fortified Ogi samples were also assessed for sensory attributes: appearance, color, flavor, mouth feel and overall acceptability. The protein content in the whole Ogi fortified samples was in the range of 11.2-16.6% and crude fibre 3.22-3.46%. Fortified whole Ogi with pigeon pea at 30%, 40% and 50% of inclusion with pigeon pea flour has higher protein, crude fibre and ash content. Varying range of pasting quality was recorded for the blends, pasting temperature for fortified Obi was in the range of 45.3-49.50C and peak time 5.05-5.210C. The sensory acceptability of the whole Ogi fortified blends prepared into gruel has higher acceptability for various qualities in comparison with the traditional Ogi gruel.
Abstract: The daily increase of organic waste materials resulting
from different activities in the country is one of the main factors for
the pollution of environment. Today, with regard to the low level of
the output of using traditional methods, the high cost of disposal
waste materials and environmental pollutions, the use of modern
methods such as anaerobic digestion for the production of biogas has
been prevailing. The collected biogas from the process of anaerobic
digestion, as a renewable energy source similar to natural gas but
with a less methane and heating value is usable. Today, with the help
of technologies of filtration and proper preparation, access to biogas
with features fully similar to natural gas has become possible. At
present biogas is one of the main sources of supplying electrical and
thermal energy and also an appropriate option to be used in four
stroke engine, diesel engine, sterling engine, gas turbine, gas micro
turbine and fuel cell to produce electricity. The use of biogas for
different reasons which returns to socio-economic and environmental
advantages has been noticed in CHP for the production of energy in
the world. The production of biogas from the technology of anaerobic
digestion and its application in CHP power plants in Iran can not only
supply part of the energy demands in the country, but it can
materialize moving in line with the sustainable development. In this
article, the necessity of the development of CHP plants with biogas
fuels in the country will be dealt based on studies performed from the
economic, environmental and social aspects. Also to prove the
importance of the establishment of these kinds of power plants from
the economic point of view, necessary calculations has been done as
a case study for a CHP power plant with a biogas fuel.
Abstract: This research work proposed a study of fruit bruise detection by means of a biospeckle method, selecting the papaya fruit (Carica papaya) as testing body. Papaya is recognized as a fruit of outstanding nutritional qualities, showing high vitamin A content, calcium, carbohydrates, exhibiting high popularity all over the world, considering consumption and acceptability. The commercialization of papaya faces special problems which are associated to bruise generation during harvesting, packing and transportation. Papaya is classified as climacteric fruit, permitting to be harvested before the maturation is completed. However, by one side bruise generation is partially controlled once the fruit flesh exhibits high mechanical firmness. By the other side, mechanical loads can set a future bruise at that maturation stage, when it can not be detected yet by conventional methods. Mechanical damages of fruit skin leave an entrance door to microorganisms and pathogens, which will cause severe losses of quality attributes. Traditional techniques of fruit quality inspection include total soluble solids determination, mechanical firmness tests, visual inspections, which would hardly meet required conditions for a fully automated process. However, the pertinent literature reveals a new method named biospeckle which is based on the laser reflectance and interference phenomenon. The laser biospeckle or dynamic speckle is quantified by means of the Moment of Inertia, named after its mechanical counterpart due to similarity between the defining formulae. Biospeckle techniques are able to quantify biological activities of living tissues, which has been applied to seed viability analysis, vegetable senescence and similar topics. Since the biospeckle techniques can monitor tissue physiology, it could also detect changes in the fruit caused by mechanical damages. The proposed technique holds non invasive character, being able to generate numerical results consistent with an adequate automation. The experimental tests associated to this research work included the selection of papaya fruit at different maturation stages which were submitted to artificial mechanical bruising tests. Damages were visually compared with the frequency maps yielded by the biospeckle technique. Results were considered in close agreement.
Abstract: Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) address is decreasing and a rapid transition method to the next generation IP address (IPv6) should be established. This study aims to evaluate and select the best performance of the IPv6 address network transitionmechanisms, such as IPv4/IPv6 dual stack, transport Relay Translation (TRT) and Reverse Proxy with additional features. It is also aim to prove that faster access can be done while ensuring optimal usage of available resources used during the test and actual implementation. This study used two test methods such asInternet Control Message Protocol (ICMP)ping and ApacheBenchmark (AB) methodsto evaluate the performance.Performance metrics for this study include aspects ofaverageaccessin one second,time takenfor singleaccess,thedata transfer speed and the costof additional requirements.Reverse Proxy with Caching featureis the most efficientmechanism because of it simpler configurationandthe best performerfrom the test conducted.
Abstract: The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is used by
computers to map logical addresses (IP) to physical addresses
(MAC). However ARP is an all trusting protocol and is stateless
which makes it vulnerable to many ARP cache poisoning attacks
such as Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) and Denial of service (DoS)
attacks. These flaws result in security breaches thus weakening the
appeal of the computer for exchange of sensitive data. In this paper
we describe ARP, outline several possible ARP cache poisoning
attacks and give the detailed of some attack scenarios in network
having both wired and wireless hosts. We have analyzed each of
proposed solutions, identify their strengths and limitations. Finally
get that no solution offers a feasible solution. Hence, this paper
presents an efficient and secure version of ARP that is able to cope
up with all these types of attacks and is also a feasible solution. It is a
stateful protocol, by storing the information of the Request frame in
the ARP cache, to reduce the chances of various types of attacks in
ARP. It is more efficient and secure by broadcasting ARP Reply
frame in the network and storing related entries in the ARP cache
each time when communication take place.
Abstract: The paper applies a discourse analytical approach to investigate important concepts influencing the infrastructure planning process in the region of Scania in southern Sweden. Two discourses, one concerning regional development and one concerning sustainability are identified, discussed and contrasted. It is argued that the perceptions of problems and their suggested solutions related to transportation are based on specific ideas, in turn dependent on the importance given to certain concepts, such as regional enlargement, Scania as a transit region, the national environmental quality goals and regional attractiveness. These concepts, their underlying meaning structures and their relevance for the infrastructure planning process are analyzed. The handling of conflicting interests in the planning process, and the possible implications this may have is also discussed. The results indicate that the regional development discourse is dominant and although the solutions to the problems caused by transport are framed in similar ways in the two discourses a harmonization between conflicting goals is proving difficult to achieve.
Abstract: This paper attempts to highlight the significant role of
knowledge management practices (KMP) and competencies in
improving the performance and efficiency of public sector
organizations. It appears that public sector organizations in
developing countries have not received much attention in the
research literature of knowledge management and competencies.
Therefore, this paper seeks to explore the role of KMP and
competencies in achieving superior performance among public sector
organizations in Malaysia in the broader perspective. Survey
questionnaires were distributed to all Administrative and Diplomatic
Officers (ADS) from 28 ministries located in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
This paper also examines preliminary empirical results on the
relationship between support for knowledge management practices,
competencies, and orientation in Malaysia-s public organizations.
This paper supports the notion that the practices of knowledge
management at the organizational level are a prerequisite for
successful organizational performance. In conclusion, the results not
only have the potential to contribute theoretically to both
management strategy and knowledge management field literature but
also to the area of organizational performance.
Abstract: We report in this paper the procedure of a system of
automatic speech recognition based on techniques of the dynamic
programming. The technique of temporal retiming is a technique
used to synchronize between two forms to compare. We will see how
this technique is adapted to the field of the automatic speech
recognition. We will expose, in a first place, the theory of the
function of retiming which is used to compare and to adjust an
unknown form with a whole of forms of reference constituting the
vocabulary of the application. Then we will give, in the second place,
the various algorithms necessary to their implementation on machine.
The algorithms which we will present were tested on part of the
corpus of words in Arab language Arabdic-10 [4] and gave whole
satisfaction. These algorithms are effective insofar as we apply them
to the small ones or average vocabularies.
Abstract: Due to new distributed database applications such as
huge deductive database systems, the search complexity is constantly
increasing and we need better algorithms to speedup traditional
relational database queries. An optimal dynamic programming
method for such high dimensional queries has the big disadvantage of
its exponential order and thus we are interested in semi-optimal but
faster approaches. In this work we present a multi-agent based
mechanism to meet this demand and also compare the result with
some commonly used query optimization algorithms.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with the production of an Arabic word semantic similarity benchmark dataset. It is the first of its kind for Arabic which was particularly developed to assess the accuracy of word semantic similarity measurements. Semantic similarity is an essential component to numerous applications in fields such as natural language processing, artificial intelligence, linguistics, and psychology. Most of the reported work has been done for English. To the best of our knowledge, there is no word similarity measure developed specifically for Arabic. In this paper, an Arabic benchmark dataset of 70 word pairs is presented. New methods and best possible available techniques have been used in this study to produce the Arabic dataset. This includes selecting and creating materials, collecting human ratings from a representative sample of participants, and calculating the overall ratings. This dataset will make a substantial contribution to future work in the field of Arabic WSS and hopefully it will be considered as a reference basis from which to evaluate and compare different methodologies in the field.
Abstract: Locating the critical slip surface with the minimum factor of safety for a rock slope is a difficult problem. In recent years, some modern global optimization methods have been developed with success in treating various types of problems, but very few of such methods have been applied to rock mechanical problems. In this paper, use of hybrid model based on artificial immune system and cellular learning automata is proposed. The results show that the algorithm is an effective and efficient optimization method with a high level of confidence rate.
Abstract: Application of flexible structures has been
significantly, increased in industry and aerospace missions due to
their contributions and unique advantages over the rigid counterparts.
In this paper, vibration analysis of a flexible structure i.e., automobile
wiper blade is investigated and controlled. The wiper generates
unwanted noise and vibration during the wiping the rain and other
particles on windshield which may cause annoying noise in different
ranges of frequency. A two dimensional analytical modeled wiper
blade whose model accuracy is verified by numerical studies in
literature is considered in this study. Particle swarm optimization
(PSO) is employed in alliance with input shaping (IS) technique in
order to control or to attenuate the amplitude level of unwanted
noise/vibration of the wiper blade.