Abstract: Continuous measurements and multivariate methods are applied in researching the effects of energy consumption on indoor air quality (IAQ) in a Finnish one-family house. Measured data used in this study was collected continuously in a house in Kuopio, Eastern Finland, during fourteen months long period. Consumption parameters measured were the consumptions of district heat, electricity and water. Indoor parameters gathered were temperature, relative humidity (RH), the concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) and differential air pressure. In this study, self-organizing map (SOM) and Sammon's mapping were applied to resolve the effects of energy consumption on indoor air quality. Namely, the SOM was qualified as a suitable method having a property to summarize the multivariable dependencies into easily observable two-dimensional map. Accompanying that, the Sammon's mapping method was used to cluster pre-processed data to find similarities of the variables, expressing distances and groups in the data. The methods used were able to distinguish 7 different clusters characterizing indoor air quality and energy efficiency in the study house. The results indicate, that the cost implications in euros of heating and electricity energy vary according to the differential pressure, concentration of carbon dioxide, temperature and season.
Abstract: The issue of human anthropology took an important
role in the last epochs and still hasn-t lost its importance. Scientists of
different countries were interested in investigating the appearance of
human being and the idea of life after death. While writing this article
we noticed that scientists who made research in this issue, despite of
the different countries and different epochs in which they lived, had
similarities in their opinions. In given article we wrote great Kazakh
poet AbaiKunanbayev-s philosophical view to the problem of human
anthropology.
Abstract: The globalization of the Indian economy has thrown a great challenge to the Indian industries in respect of productivity, quality, cost, delivery etc. Achieving success• the global market has required fundamental shift in the way business is conducted and has dramatically affected virtually every aspect of process industry. The internal manufacturing process and supporting infrastructure should be such that it can compete successfully in global markets with better flexibility and delivery. The paper deals with a case study of a reputed process industry, some changes in the process has been suggested, which leads to reduction in labor cost and production cost.
Abstract: In this paper, multiobjective design of multi-machine Power System Stabilizers (PSSs) using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is presented. The stabilizers are tuned to simultaneously shift the lightly damped and undamped electro-mechanical modes of all machines to a prescribed zone in the s-plane. A multiobjective problem is formulated to optimize a composite set of objective functions comprising the damping factor, and the damping ratio of the lightly damped electromechanical modes. The PSSs parameters tuning problem is converted to an optimization problem which is solved by PSO with the eigenvalue-based multiobjective function. The proposed PSO based PSSs is tested on a multimachine power system under different operating conditions and disturbances through eigenvalue analysis and some performance indices to illustrate its robust performance.
Abstract: In non destructive testing by radiography, a perfect knowledge of the weld defect shape is an essential step to appreciate the quality of the weld and make decision on its acceptability or rejection. Because of the complex nature of the considered images, and in order that the detected defect region represents the most accurately possible the real defect, the choice of thresholding methods must be done judiciously. In this paper, performance criteria are used to conduct a comparative study of thresholding methods based on gray level histogram, 2-D histogram and locally adaptive approach for weld defect extraction in radiographic images.
Abstract: In this paper presents a technique for developing the
computational efficiency in simulating double output induction
generators (DOIG) with two rotor circuits where stator transients are
to be included. Iterative decomposition is used to separate the flux–
Linkage equations into decoupled fast and slow subsystems, after
which the model order of the fast subsystems is reduced by
neglecting the heavily damped fast transients caused by the second
rotor circuit using integral manifolds theory. The two decoupled
subsystems along with the equation for the very slowly changing slip
constitute a three time-scale model for the machine which resulted in
increasing computational speed. Finally, the proposed method of
reduced order in this paper is compared with the other conventional
methods in linear and nonlinear modes and it is shown that this
method is better than the other methods regarding simulation
accuracy and speed.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with exponential stability and stabilization of switched linear systems with interval time-varying delays. The time delay is any continuous function belonging to a given interval, in which the lower bound of delay is not restricted to zero. By constructing a suitable augmented Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional combined with Leibniz-Newton-s formula, a switching rule for the exponential stability and stabilization of switched linear systems with interval time-varying delays and new delay-dependent sufficient conditions for the exponential stability and stabilization of the systems are first established in terms of LMIs. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the effectiveness of the results.
Abstract: Signal processing applications which are iterative in
nature are best represented by data flow graphs (DFG). In these
applications, the maximum sampling frequency is dependent on the
topology of the DFG, the cyclic dependencies in particular. The
determination of the iteration bound, which is the reciprocal of the
maximum sampling frequency, is critical in the process of hardware
implementation of signal processing applications. In this paper, a
novel technique to compute the iteration bound is proposed. This
technique is different from all previously proposed techniques, in the
sense that it is based on the natural flow of tokens into the DFG
rather than the topology of the graph. The proposed algorithm has
lower run-time complexity than all known algorithms. The
performance of the proposed algorithm is illustrated through
analytical analysis of the time complexity, as well as through
simulation of some benchmark problems.
Abstract: This paper addresses the problem of how one can
improve the performance of a non-optimal filter. First the theoretical question on dynamical representation for a given time correlated
random process is studied. It will be demonstrated that for a wide class of random processes, having a canonical form, there exists
a dynamical system equivalent in the sense that its output has the
same covariance function. It is shown that the dynamical approach is more effective for simulating and estimating a Markov and non-
Markovian random processes, computationally is less demanding,
especially with increasing of the dimension of simulated processes.
Numerical examples and estimation problems in low dimensional
systems are given to illustrate the advantages of the approach. A very useful application of the proposed approach is shown for the
problem of state estimation in very high dimensional systems. Here a modified filter for data assimilation in an oceanic numerical model
is presented which is proved to be very efficient due to introducing
a simple Markovian structure for the output prediction error process
and adaptive tuning some parameters of the Markov equation.
Abstract: Thai and Vietnamese music had been influenced and inspired by the traditional Chinese music. Whereby the differences of the tuning systems as well as the music modes are obviously known . The research examined the character of musical instruments, songs and culture between Thai and Vietnamese. An analyzing of songs and modes and the study of tone vibration as well as timbre had been done accurately. This qualitative research is based on documentary and songs analysis, field study, interviews and focus group discussion of Thai and Vietnamese masters. The research aims are to examine the musical instruments and songs of both Thai and Vietnamese as well as the comparison of the sounding system between Thailand and Vietnam. The finding of the research has revealed that there are similarities in certain kinds of instruments but differences in the sound systems regarding songs and scale of Thailand and Vietnam. Both cultural musical instruments are diverse and synthetic combining native and foreign inspiring. An integral part of Vietnam has been highly impacted by Chinese musical convention. Korea, Mongolia and Japan music have also play an active and effectively influenced as their geographical related. Whereas Thailand has been influenced by Chinese and Indian traditional music. Both Thai and Vietnamese musical instruments can be divided into four groups: plucked strings, bowed strings, winds and percussion. Songs from both countries have their own characteristics. They are playing a role in touching people heart in ceremonies, social functions and an essential element of the native performing arts. The Vietnamese music melodies have been influenced by Chinese music and taken the same character as Chinese songs. Thai song has specific identity and variety showed in its unique melody. Pentatonic scales have effectively been used in composing Thai and Vietnamese songs, but in different implementing concept.
Abstract: This study presents an investigation of
electrochemical variables and an application of the optimal
parameters in operating a continuous upflow electrocoagulation
reactor in removing dye. Direct red 23, which is azo-based, was used
as a representative of direct dyes. First, a batch mode was employed
to optimize the design parameters: electrode type, electrode distance,
current density and electrocoagulation time. The optimal parameters
were found to be iron anode, distance between electrodes of 8 mm
and current density of 30 A·m-2 with contact time of 5 min. The
performance of the continuous upflow reactor with these parameters
was satisfactory, with >95% color removal and energy consumption
in the order of 0.6-0.7 kWh·m-3.
Abstract: A numerical study is made of laminar, unsteady flow
behind a rotationally oscillating circular cylinder using a recently
developed higher order compact (HOC) scheme. The stream function
vorticity formulation of Navier-Stokes (N-S) equations in cylindrical
polar coordinates are considered as the governing equations. The
temporal behaviour of vortex formation and relevant streamline
patterns of the flow are scrutinized over broad ranges of two
externally specified parameters namely dimensionless forced
oscillating frequency Sf and dimensionless peak rotation rate αm for
the Reynolds-s number Re = 200. Excellent agreements are found
both qualitatively and quantitatively with the existing experimental
and standard numerical results.
Abstract: Paper deals with the topic of questions as important
components of information behavior in the school. By analyzing the
Corpus Schola2010, the state of contemporary education in terms of
questioning is proven unsatisfactory: 80% of the questions are asked
by teachers; most of teacher-s questions are asked at the beginning of
the first grade, than their number decreases and is settling down on
80±10 questions per lesson. The average number of questions within
one lesson per one pupil is generally less than one whole question.
The highest values are achieved in the first, sixth, eighth and tenth
grade,, i.e. in the transition years in which pupils are moving into
higher levels of education and every following year it declines. We
can state Czech school do not support questioning and question skill
of their pupils, thereby typical Czech schools are neglecting the
development of thinking, reasoning and cooperation of their pupils.
Abstract: To calculate the temperature distribution of the slab in
a hot rolled reheating furnace a mathematical model has been
developed by considering the thermal radiation in the furnace and
transient conduction in the slab. The furnace is modeled as radiating
medium with spatially varying temperature. Radiative heat flux within
the furnace including the effect of furnace walls, combustion gases,
skid beams and buttons is calculated using the FVM and is applied as
the boundary condition of the transient conduction equation of the
slab. After determining the slab emissivity by comparison between
simulation and experimental work, variation of heating characteristics
in the slab is investigated in the case of changing furnace temperature
with various time and the slab residence time is optimized with this
evaluation.
Abstract: In this work, propagation of uncertainty during calibration
process of TRANUS, an integrated land use and transport model
(ILUTM), has been investigated. It has also been examined, through a
sensitivity analysis, which input parameters affect the variation of the
outputs the most. Moreover, a probabilistic verification methodology
of calibration process, which equates the observed and calculated
production, has been proposed. The model chosen as an application is
the model of the city of Grenoble, France. For sensitivity analysis and
uncertainty propagation, Monte Carlo method was employed, and a
statistical hypothesis test was used for verification. The parameters of
the induced demand function in TRANUS, were assumed as uncertain
in the present case. It was found that, if during calibration, TRANUS
converges, then with a high probability the calibration process is
verified. Moreover, a weak correlation was found between the inputs
and the outputs of the calibration process. The total effect of the
inputs on outputs was investigated, and the output variation was found
to be dictated by only a few input parameters.
Abstract: Embedding and extraction of a secret information as
well as the restoration of the original un-watermarked image is
highly desirable in sensitive applications like military, medical, and
law enforcement imaging. This paper presents a novel reversible
data-hiding method for digital images using integer to integer
wavelet transform and companding technique which can embed and
recover the secret information as well as can restore the image to its
pristine state. The novel method takes advantage of block based
watermarking and iterative optimization of threshold for companding
which avoids histogram pre and post-processing. Consequently, it
reduces the associated overhead usually required in most of the
reversible watermarking techniques. As a result, it keeps the
distortion small between the marked and the original images.
Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the
existing reversible data hiding schemes reported in the literature.
Abstract: The purposes of this paper are to (1) promote
excellence in computer science by suggesting a cohesive innovative
approach to fill well documented deficiencies in current computer
science education, (2) justify (using the authors- and others anecdotal
evidence from both the classroom and the real world) why this
approach holds great potential to successfully eliminate the
deficiencies, (3) invite other professionals to join the authors in proof
of concept research. The authors- experiences, though anecdotal,
strongly suggest that a new approach involving visual modeling
technologies should allow computer science programs to retain a
greater percentage of prospective and declared majors as students
become more engaged learners, more successful problem-solvers,
and better prepared as programmers. In addition, the graduates of
such computer science programs will make greater contributions to
the profession as skilled problem-solvers. Instead of wearily
rememorizing code as they move to the next course, students will
have the problem-solving skills to think and work in more
sophisticated and creative ways.
Abstract: Surveillance system is widely used in the traffic
monitoring. The deployment of cameras is moving toward a
ubiquitous camera (UbiCam) environment. In our previous study, a
novel service, called GPS-VT, was firstly proposed by incorporating
global positioning system (GPS) and visual tracking techniques for
the UbiCam environment. The first prototype is called GODTA
(GPS-based Moving Object Detection and Tracking Approach). For a
moving person carried GPS-enabled mobile device, he can be
tracking when he enters the field-of-view (FOV) of a camera
according to his real-time GPS coordinate. In this paper, GPS-VT
service is applied to the tracking of vehicles. The moving speed of a
vehicle is much faster than a person. It means that the time passing
through the FOV is much shorter than that of a person. Besides, the
update interval of GPS coordinate is once per second, it is
asynchronous with the frame rate of the real-time image. The above
asynchronous is worsen by the network transmission delay. These
factors are the main challenging to fulfill GPS-VT service on a
vehicle.In order to overcome the influence of the above factors, a
back-propagation neural network (BPNN) is used to predict the
possible lane before the vehicle enters the FOV of a camera. Then, a
template matching technique is used for the visual tracking of a target
vehicle. The experimental result shows that the target vehicle can be
located and tracking successfully. The success location rate of the
implemented prototype is higher than that of the previous GODTA.
Abstract: Environmental accounting is a recent phenomenon in the modern jurisprudence. It may reflect the corporate governance mechanisms in line with the natural resources and environmental sound management and administration systems in any country of the world. It may be a corporate focused on the improving of the environmental quality. But it is often identified that it is ignored due to some reasons such as unconsciousness, lack of ethical education etc. At present, the world community is very much concerned about the state of the environmental accounting and auditing systems as it bears sustainability on the mother earth for our generations. It is one of the important tools for understanding on the role played by the natural environment in the economy. It provides adequate data which is highlighted both in the contribution of natural resources to economic well-being as well as the costs imposed by pollution or resource degradation. It can play a critical role as on be a part of the many international environmental organizations such as IUCN, WWF, PADELIA, WRI etc.; as they have been taking many initiatives for ensuring the environmental accouting for our competent survivals. The global state actors have already taken some greening accounting initiatives under the forum of the United Nations Division for Sustainable Dedevolpment, the United Nations Statistical Division, the United Nations Conference on Environment and development known as Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg Conference 2002 etc. This study will provide an overview of the environmental accounting education consisting of 25 respondents based on the primary and secondary sources.
Abstract: We propose a low-cost uniform analysis framework
allowing comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of the
bicycling experience within and between cities. A primary
component is an expedient, one-page mobility survey from which
mode share is calculated. The bicycle mode share of many cities
remains unknown, creating a serious barrier for both scientists and
policy makers aiming to understand and increase rates of bicycling.
Because of its low cost and expedience, this framework could be
replicated widely, uniformly filling the data gap. The framework has
been applied to 13 Central European cities with success. Data is
collected on multiple modes with specific questions regarding both
behavior and quality of travel experience. Individual preferences are
also collected, examining the conditions under which respondents
would change behavior to adopt more sustainable modes (bicycling
or public transportation). A broad analysis opportunity results,
intended to inform policy choices.