Abstract: In this paper a procedure for the split-pipe design of looped water distribution network based on the use of simulated annealing is proposed. Simulated annealing is a heuristic-based search algorithm, motivated by an analogy of physical annealing in solids. It is capable for solving the combinatorial optimization problem. In contrast to the split-pipe design that is derived from a continuous diameter design that has been implemented in conventional optimization techniques, the split-pipe design proposed in this paper is derived from a discrete diameter design where a set of pipe diameters is chosen directly from a specified set of commercial pipes. The optimality and feasibility of the solutions are found to be guaranteed by using the proposed method. The performance of the proposed procedure is demonstrated through solving the three well-known problems of water distribution network taken from the literature. Simulated annealing provides very promising solutions and the lowest-cost solutions are found for all of these test problems. The results obtained from these applications show that simulated annealing is able to handle a combinatorial optimization problem of the least cost design of water distribution network. The technique can be considered as an alternative tool for similar areas of research. Further applications and improvements of the technique are expected as well.
Abstract: A Personal Distributed Environment (PDE) is an
example of an IP-based system architecture designed for future
mobile communications. In a single PDE, there exist several Subnetworks
hosting devices located across the infrastructure, which will
inter-work with one another through the coordination of a Device
Management Entity (DME). Some of these Sub-networks are fixed
and some are mobile. In order to support Mobile Sub-networks
mobility in the PDE, the PDE-NEMO protocol was proposed. This
paper discussed the signalling cost analysis of PDE-NEMO by use of
a detailed simulation model. The paper started with the introduction
of the protocol, followed by the experiments and results and then
followed by discussions.
Abstract: The principal objective of a water treatment plant is to
produce water that satisfies a set of drinking water quality standards
at a reasonable price to the consumers. The gravel-bed flocculator
provide a simple and inexpensive design for flocculation in small
water treatment plants (less than 5000 m3/day capacity). The packed
bed of gravel provides ideal conditions for the formation of compact
settleable flocs because of continuous recontact provided by the
sinuous flow of water through the interstices formed by the gravel.
The field data which were obtained from the operation of the
water supply treatment unit cover the physical, chemical and
biological water qualities of the raw and settled water as obtained by
the operation of the treatment unit. The experiments were carried out
with the aim of assessing the efficiency of the gravel filter in
removing the turbidity, pathogenic bacteria, from the raw water. The
water treatment plant, which was constructed for the treatment of
river water, was in principle a rapid sand filter.
The results show that the average value of the turbidity level of
the settled water was 4.83 NTU with a standard deviation of turbidity
2.893 NTU. This indicated that the removal efficiency of the
sedimentation tank (gravel filter) was about 67.8 %. for pH values
fluctuated between 7.75 and 8.15, indicating the alkaline nature of
the raw water of the river Shatt Al-Hilla, as expected. Raw water pH
is depressed slightly following alum coagulation. The pH of the
settled water ranged from 7.75 to a maximum of 8.05.
The bacteriological tests which were carried out on the water
samples were: total coliform test, E-coli test, and the plate count test.
In each test the procedure used was as outlined in the Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA,
AWWA, and WPCF, 1985). The gravel filter exhibit a low
performance in removing bacterial load. The percentage bacterial
removal, which is maximum for total plate count (19%) and
minimum for total coliform (16.82%).
Abstract: Col is a classic combinatorial game played on graphs
and to solve a general instance is a PSPACE-complete problem.
However, winning strategies can be found for some specific graph
instances. In this paper, the solution of Col on complete k-ary trees
is presented.
Abstract: This paper presents the experimental results of
discharge current phenomena on various humidity, temperature,
pressure and pollutant conditions of epoxy resin specimen. The
leakage distance of specimen was 3 cm, that it was supplied by high
voltage. The polluted condition was given with NaCl artificial
pollutant. The conducted measurements were discharge current and
applied voltage. The specimen was put in a hermetically sealed
chamber, and the current waveforms were analyzed with FFT.
The result indicated that on discharge condition, the fifth
harmonics still had dominant, rather than third one. The third
harmonics tent to be appeared on low pressure heavily polluted
condition, and followed by high humidity heavily polluted condition.
On the heavily polluted specimen, the peaks discharge current points
would be high and more frequent. Nevertheless, the specimen still
had capacitive property. Besides that, usually discharge current
points were more frequent. The influence of low pressure was still
dominant to be easier to discharge. The non-linear property would be
appear explicitly on low pressure and heavily polluted condition.
Abstract: This article presents the analysis of experimental values regarding cracking pattern, specific strains and deformability for reinforced high strength concrete beams. The beams have the concrete class C80/95 and a longitudinal reinforcement ratio of 2.01%, respectively 3.39%. The elements were subjected to flexure under static short-term and long-term loading. The experimental values are compared with calculation values using the design relationships according to Eurocode 2.
Abstract: The importance of inter-organizational system (IOS)
has been increasingly recognized by organizations. However, IOS
adoption has proved to be difficult and, at this stage, why this is so is
not fully uncovered. In practice, benefits have often remained
concentrated, primarily accruing to the dominant party, resulting in
low rates of adoption and usage, and often culminating in the failure
of the IOS. The main research question is why organizations initiate
or join IOS and what factors influence their adoption and use levels.
This paper reviews the literature on IOS adoption and proposes a
theoretical framework in order to identify the critical factors to
capture a complete picture of IOS adoption. With our proposed
critical factors, we are able to investigate their relative contributions
to IOS adoption decisions. We obtain findings that suggested that
there are five groups of factors that significantly affect the adoption
and use decision of IOS in the Supply Chain Management (SCM)
context: 1) interorganizational context, 2) organizational context, 3)
technological context, 4) perceived costs, and 5) perceived benefits.
Abstract: This paper deals with the development and obstacles of
Korean women-s political participation in recent years. Since the year
1948 after the declaration of a modern state, Korea has tried to
establish the democracy but still in the field of women-s political
participation it meets a lot of problems such as women-s political
consciousness, male dominated political culture and institutional
constraints. After the introduction of quota system in the list of
political party, women-s political participation began to change its
configuration. More women candidates have willingly presented at
elections.
Abstract: In this study, a reformer model simulation to use
refinery (Farashband refinery, Iran) waste natural gas. In the
petroleum and allied sectors where natural gas is being encountered
(in form of associated gas) without prior preparation for its positive
use, its combustion (which takes place in flares, an equipment through
which they are being disposed) has become a great problem because
of its associated environmental problems in form of gaseous emission.
The proposed model is used to product syngas from waste natural gas.
A detailed steady model described by a set of ordinary differential and
algebraic equations was developed to predict the behavior of the
overall process. The proposed steady reactor model was validated
against process data of a reformer synthesis plant recorded and a good
agreement was achieved. H2/CO ratio has important effect on Fischer-
Tropsch synthesis reactor product and we try to achieve this parameter
with best designing reformer reactor. We study different kind of
reformer reactors and then select auto thermal reforming process of
natural gas in a fixed bed reformer that adjustment H2/CO ratio with
CO2 and H2O injection. Finally a strategy was proposed for prevention
of extra natural gas to atmosphere.
Abstract: The recent developments in computing and
communication technology permit to users to access multimedia
documents with variety of devices (PCs, PDAs, mobile phones...)
having heterogeneous capabilities. This diversification of supports
has trained the need to adapt multimedia documents according to
their execution contexts. A semantic framework for multimedia
document adaptation based on the conceptual neighborhood graphs
was proposed. In this framework, adapting consists on finding
another specification that satisfies the target constraints and which is
as close as possible from the initial document. In this paper, we
propose a new way of building the conceptual neighborhood graphs
to best preserve the proximity between the adapted and the original
documents and to deal with more elaborated relations models by
integrating the relations relaxation graphs that permit to handle the
delays and the distances defined within the relations.
Abstract: This research proposes a methodology for patent-citation-based technology input-output analysis by applying the patent information to input-output analysis developed for the dependencies among different industries. For this analysis, a technology relationship matrix and its components, as well as input and technology inducement coefficients, are constructed using patent information. Then, a technology inducement coefficient is calculated by normalizing the degree of citation from certain IPCs to the different IPCs (International patent classification) or to the same IPCs. Finally, we construct a Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) based on the technology inducement coefficient to suggest a useful application for this methodology.
Abstract: This paper presents a real time force sensing
instrument that is designed for human gait analysis purposes. It is
capable of recording and monitoring ground reaction forces exerted
by human foot during various activities such as walking, running and
jumping in real time. In overall, force sensing mat mainly consists of
three elements: the force sensing mat, signal conditioning circuit and
data acquisition device. Force sensing mat is the mat that contains an
array of force sensing elements. To control and process the incoming
signal from the force sensing mat, Force-Logger and Force-Reloader
are developed using National Instrument Labview. This paper
describes the architecture of the force sensing mat, signal
conditioning circuit and the real time streaming of the incoming data
from the force sensing mat. Additionally, a preliminary experiment
dataset is presented in this paper.
Abstract: Stick models are widely used in studying the
behaviour of straight as well as skew bridges and viaducts subjected
to earthquakes while carrying out preliminary studies. The
application of such models to highly curved bridges continues to
pose challenging problems. A viaduct proposed in the foothills of the
Himalayas in Northern India is chosen for the study. It is having 8
simply supported spans @ 30 m c/c. It is doubly curved in horizontal
plane with 20 m radius. It is inclined in vertical plane as well. The
superstructure consists of a box section. Three models have been
used: a conventional stick model, an improved stick model and a 3D
finite element model. The improved stick model is employed by
making use of body constraints in order to study its capabilities. The
first 8 frequencies are about 9.71% away in the latter two models.
Later the difference increases to 80% in 50th mode. The viaduct was
subjected to all three components of the El Centro earthquake of May
1940. The numerical integration was carried out using the Hilber-
Hughes-Taylor method as implemented in SAP2000. Axial forces
and moments in the bridge piers as well as lateral displacements at
the bearing levels are compared for the three models. The maximum
difference in the axial forces and bending moments and
displacements vary by 25% between the improved and finite element
model. Whereas, the maximum difference in the axial forces,
moments, and displacements in various sections vary by 35%
between the improved stick model and equivalent straight stick
model. The difference for torsional moment was as high as 75%. It is
concluded that the stick model with body constraints to model the
bearings and expansion joints is not desirable in very sharp S curved
viaducts even for preliminary analysis. This model can be used only
to determine first 10 frequency and mode shapes but not for member
forces. A 3D finite element analysis must be carried out for
meaningful results.
Abstract: Possible advantages of technology in educational
context required the defining boundaries of formal and informal
learning. Increasing opportunity to ubiquitous learning by
technological support has revealed a question of how to discover
the potential of individuals in the spontaneous environments such as
social networks. This seems to be related with the question of what
purposes in social networks have been being used? Social networks
provide various advantages in educational context as collaboration,
knowledge sharing, common interests, active participation and
reflective thinking. As a consequence of these, the purpose of this
study is composed of proposing a new model that could determine
factors which effect adoption of social network applications for usage
in educational context. While developing a model proposal, the
existing adoption and diffusion models have been reviewed and they
are thought to be suitable on handling an original perspective instead
of using completely other diffusion or acceptance models because of
different natures of education from other organizations. In the
proposed model; social factors, perceived ease of use, perceived
usefulness and innovativeness are determined four direct constructs
that effect adoption process. Facilitating conditions, image,
subjective norms and community identity are incorporated to model
as antecedents of these direct four constructs.
Abstract: Housebuilders in England have been the target of numerous government policies in recent years promoting increased productivity and affordability. As a result, the housebuilding industry is currently faced with objectives to improve the affordability and sustainability of new homes whilst also increasing production rates to 240,000 per year by 2016.Yet amidst a faltering economic climate, the UK Government is forging ahead with the 'Code for Sustainable Homes', which includes stringent sustainable standards for all new homes and sets ambitious targets for the housebuilding industry, the culmination of which is the production of zero carbon homes by 2016.Great uncertainty exists amongst housebuilders as to the costs, benefits and risks of building zero carbon homes. This paper examines the key barriers to zero carbon homes from housebuilders- perspective. A comprehensive opinion on the challenges to deliver zero carbon homes is gathered through a questionnaire survey issued to the major housing developers in England. The study found that a number of cultural, legislative, and financial barriers stand in the way of the widespread construction of zero carbon homes. The study concludes with several recommendations to both the Government and the housebuilding industry to address the barriers that hinder a successful delivery of zero carbon homes in England.
Abstract: Software Reliability is one of the key factors in the software development process. Software Reliability is estimated using reliability models based on Non Homogenous Poisson Process. In most of the literature the Software Reliability is predicted only in testing phase. So it leads to wrong decision-making concept. In this paper, two Software Reliability concepts, testing and operational phase are studied in detail. Using S-Shaped Software Reliability Growth Model (SRGM) and Exponential SRGM, the testing and operational reliability values are obtained. Finally two reliability values are compared and optimal release time is investigated.
Abstract: In this paper, a robust digital image watermarking
scheme for copyright protection applications using the singular value
decomposition (SVD) is proposed. In this scheme, an entropy
masking model has been applied on the host image for the texture
segmentation. Moreover, the local luminance and textures of the host
image are considered for watermark embedding procedure to
increase the robustness of the watermarking scheme. In contrast to all
existing SVD-based watermarking systems that have been designed
to embed visual watermarks, our system uses a pseudo-random
sequence as a watermark. We have tested the performance of our
method using a wide variety of image processing attacks on different
test images. A comparison is made between the results of our
proposed algorithm with those of a wavelet-based method to
demonstrate the superior performance of our algorithm.
Abstract: In this paper we present an efficient method for inverting an ideal in the ideal class group of a Cab curve by extending the method which is presented in [3]. More precisely we introduce a useful generator for the inverse ideal as a K[X]-module.
Abstract: Green Lean Total Quality Management (LTQM) Human Resource Management (HRM) System is a system comprises of HRM in Environmental Management System (EMS) practices which is integrated to TQM with Lean Manufacturing (LM) principles. HRM is essential especially in dealing with low motivation and less productive employees. The ultimate goal of this system is to focus on achieving total human resource development that is motivated and capable to optimize their creativity to be a part of Green and Lean TQM organization. A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to 30 highly active automotive vendors in Malaysia and analyzed by Minitab v16 and SPSS v17. It was found out companies that are practicing Green LTQM HRM practices have generated more revenue and have RND capability. However, years of company establishment do not affect the openness of the company to adapt new initiatives that can help to improve the effectiveness of the operations. It was also found out the importance of training, communication and rewards for employees. The Green LTQM HRM practices framework model established in this study hopefully will give preliminary insight especially to companies that are still looking for system that can improve their productivity from managing human resource. This is preliminary study that combined 4 awards practices, ISO/TS16949, Toyota Production System SAEJ4000, MAJAICO Lean Production System and EMS focusing on highly active companies that have been involved in MAJAICO Program and Proton Vendor Development Program. Future study can be conducted to know the status at other industry as well as case study pertaining to this system.
Abstract: Through the course of this paper we define Business Case Management and its characteristics, and highlight its link to knowledge workers. Business Case Management combines knowledge and process effectively, supporting the ad hoc and unpredictable nature of cases, and coordinate a range of other technologies to appropriately support knowledge-intensive processes. We emphasize the growing importance of knowledge workers and the current poor support for knowledge work automation. We also discuss the challenges in supporting this kind of knowledge work and propose a novel approach to overcome these challenges.