Abstract: The handwriting is a physical demonstration of a
complex cognitive process learnt by man since his childhood. People
with disabilities or suffering from various neurological diseases are
facing so many difficulties resulting from problems located at the
muscle stimuli (EMG) or signals from the brain (EEG) and which
arise at the stage of writing. The handwriting velocity of the same
writer or different writers varies according to different criteria: age,
attitude, mood, writing surface, etc. Therefore, it is interesting to
reconstruct an experimental basis records taking, as primary
reference, the writing speed for different writers which would allow
studying the global system during handwriting process. This paper
deals with a new approach of the handwriting system modeling based
on the velocity criterion through the concepts of artificial neural
networks, precisely the Radial Basis Functions (RBF) neural
networks. The obtained simulation results show a satisfactory
agreement between responses of the developed neural model and the
experimental data for various letters and forms then the efficiency of
the proposed approaches.
Abstract: At-site flood frequency analysis is used to estimate
flood quantiles when at-site record length is reasonably long. In
Australia, FLIKE software has been introduced for at-site flood
frequency analysis. The advantage of FLIKE is that, for a given
application, the user can compare a number of most commonly
adopted probability distributions and parameter estimation methods
relatively quickly using a windows interface. The new version of
FLIKE has been incorporated with the multiple Grubbs and Beck test
which can identify multiple numbers of potentially influential low
flows. This paper presents a case study considering six catchments in
eastern Australia which compares two outlier identification tests
(original Grubbs and Beck test and multiple Grubbs and Beck test)
and two commonly applied probability distributions (Generalized
Extreme Value (GEV) and Log Pearson type 3 (LP3)) using FLIKE
software. It has been found that the multiple Grubbs and Beck test
when used with LP3 distribution provides more accurate flood
quantile estimates than when LP3 distribution is used with the
original Grubbs and Beck test. Between these two methods, the
differences in flood quantile estimates have been found to be up to
61% for the six study catchments. It has also been found that GEV
distribution (with L moments) and LP3 distribution with the multiple
Grubbs and Beck test provide quite similar results in most of the
cases; however, a difference up to 38% has been noted for flood
quantiles for annual exceedance probability (AEP) of 1 in 100 for one
catchment. This finding needs to be confirmed with a greater number
of stations across other Australian states.
Abstract: A novel method to produce a fast high voltage solid
states switch using Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) is
presented for discharge-pumped gas lasers. The IGBTs are connected
in series to achieve a high voltage rating. An avalanche transistor is
used as the gate driver. The fast pulse generated by the avalanche
transistor quickly charges the large input capacitance of the IGBT,
resulting in a switch out of a fast high-voltage pulse. The switching
characteristic of fast-high voltage solid state switch has been estimated
in the multi-stage series-connected IGBT with the applied voltage of
several tens of kV. Electrical circuit diagram and the mythology of
fast-high voltage solid state switch as well as experimental results
obtained are presented.
Abstract: An investigation into the effect of countersunk depth,
plate thickness, countersunk angle and plate width on the stress
concentration around countersunk hole is carried out with the help of
finite element analysis. The variation of stress concentration with
respect to these parameters is studied for three types of loading viz.
uniformly distributed load, uniformly varying load and functionally
distributed load. The results of the finite element analysis are
interpreted and some conclusions are drawn. The distribution of
stress concentration around countersunk hole in isotropic plates
simply supported at all the edges is found similar and is independent
of loading. The maximum stress concentration also occurs at a
particular point irrespective of the loading conditions.
Abstract: Present study is aimed on the cutting process of circular
cross-section rods where the fracture is used to separate one rod
into two pieces. Incorporating the phenomenological ductile fracture
model into the explicit formulation of finite element method, the
process can be analyzed without the necessity of realizing too many
real experiments which could be expensive in case of repetitive
testing in different conditions. In the present paper, the steel AISI
1045 was examined and the tensile tests of smooth and notched
cylindrical bars were conducted together with biaxial testing of the
notched tube specimens to calibrate material constants of selected
phenomenological ductile fracture models. These were implemented
into the Abaqus/Explicit through user subroutine VUMAT and used
for cutting process simulation. As the calibration process is based
on variables which cannot be obtained directly from experiments,
numerical simulations of fracture tests are inevitable part of the
calibration. Finally, experiments regarding the cutting process were
carried out and predictive capability of selected fracture models is
discussed. Concluding remarks then make the summary of gained
experience both with the calibration and application of particular
ductile fracture criteria.
Abstract: Self-service technologies (SSTs) make an important
contribution to the daily life of people nowadays. However, the
introduction of SST does not lead to its usage. Thereby, this paper
was an attempt on discovery of the most preferred SST in the
customers’ point of view. To fulfill this aim, the Analytical Hierarchy
Process (AHP) was applied based on Saaty’s questionnaire which
was administered to the customers of e-banking services located in
Golestan providence, northern Iran. This study used qualitative
factors in association with the intention of consumers’ usage of SSTs
to rank three SSTs: ATM, mobile banking and internet banking. The
results showed that mobile banking get the highest weight in
consumers’ point of view. This research can be useful both for
managers and service providers and also for customers who intend to
use e-banking.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of age
and physiological status on progesterone and energy metabolism of
Ouled Djellal (O.D) breed ewes. 40 healthy ewes were divided into
two groups, primiparous and multiparous, with 20 ewes in each
group. The body weights (BW) (Kg) were 46.6 ± 4.20 and 59.2 ±
3.02, and consuming less 25 to 30% of their basal energetic
requirements. The values of serum glucose, triglycerides and
cholesterol were lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant ewes. The
high to very high significant differences were found during the 15th
week of pregnancy for glycaemia and triglyceridemia respectively.
Concerning serum progesterone, a very highly significant difference
(p
Abstract: In the present work, the finite element formulation for
the investigation of the effects of a localized interfacial degeneration
on the dynamic behavior of the [90°/0°] laminated composite plate
employing the state-space technique is performed. The stiffness of
the laminate is determined by assembling the stiffnesses of subelements.
This includes an introduction of an interface layer adopting
the virtually zero-thickness formulation to model the interfacial
degeneration. Also, the kinematically consistent mass matrix and
proportional damping have been formulated to complete the free
vibration governing expression. To simulate the interfacial
degeneration of the laminate, the degenerated areas are defined from
the center propagating outwards in a localized manner. It is found
that the natural frequency, damped frequency and damping ratio of
the plate decreases as the degenerated area of the interface increases.
On the contrary, the loss factor increases correspondingly.
Abstract: The postharvest quality management of tomatoes is
important to limit the amount of losses that occur due to deterioration
between harvest and consumption. This study was undertaken to
investigate the effects of pre- and postharvest integrated agrotechnologies,
involving greenhouse microclimate and postharvest
storage conditions, on the postharvest quality attributes of four
tomato cultivars. Tomato fruit firmness, colour (hue angle (h°) and
L* value), pH and total soluble solids for the cultivars Bona,
Star 9037, Star 9009 and Zeal, grown in a fan-pad evaporativelycooled
and an open-ended naturally-ventilated tunnel, were harvested
at the mature-green stage. The tomatoes were stored for 28 days
under cold storage conditions, with a temperature of 13°C and RH of
85%, and under ambient air conditions, with a temperature of 23±
2°C and RH of 52± 4%. This study has provided information on the
effect of integrated pre-harvest and postharvest agro-technologies,
involving greenhouse microclimate and postharvest storage
environment on the postharvest quality attributes of four of the
tomato cultivars in South Africa. NVT-grown tomatoes retained
better textural qualities, but ripened faster by changing from green to
red faster, although these were reduced under cold storage conditions.
FPVT-grown tomatoes had lower firmness, but ripened slowly with
higher colour attributes. With cold storage conditions, the firmness of
FPVT-grown tomatoes was maintained. Cultivar Bona firmness and
colour qualities depreciated the fastest, but it had higher TSS content
and lower pH values. Star 9009 and Star 9037 presented better
quality, by retaining higher firmness and ripening slowly, but they
had the lowest TSS contents and high pH values, especially
Star 9037. Cold storage improved the firmness of tomato cultivars
with poor textural quality and faster colour changes.
Abstract: In this paper, we introduce a generalized Chebyshev
collocation method (GCCM) based on the generalized Chebyshev
polynomials for solving stiff systems. For employing a technique
of the embedded Runge-Kutta method used in explicit schemes, the
property of the generalized Chebyshev polynomials is used, in which
the nodes for the higher degree polynomial are overlapped with those
for the lower degree polynomial. The constructed algorithm controls
both the error and the time step size simultaneously and further
the errors at each integration step are embedded in the algorithm
itself, which provides the efficiency of the computational cost. For
the assessment of the effectiveness, numerical results obtained by the
proposed method and the Radau IIA are presented and compared.
Abstract: This paper is drawn from a wider study of the
management of gender, age and disability diversity in the banking
sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which aims to develop
a framework for diversity management (DM) in this sector. The
paper focuses on the management of disability diversity. The purpose
of the paper is to assist in understanding disability DM in the banking
sector in KSA and to make suggestions for its enhancement. Hence, it
contributes to filling a research gap, as there is a dearth of literature
on disability DM, in KSA in general, and in the banking sector
specifically.
Discrimination against people with disabilities is a social issue that
has not been entirely overcome in any society. However, in KSA,
Islam informs almost every aspect of daily life including work, and
Islam is against discrimination. Hence, in KSA, there are regulations
to accommodate people with disabilities; however, employers are still
free not to hire job applicants with disabilities specifically because of
their condition. Indeed, disabled people are almost entirely absent
from the labour market.
There are 12 Saudi-owned or part-Saudi-owned banks in KSA and
two managers from each of these were interviewed, making a total of
24. The interviews aimed to investigate empirically the understanding
of managers in the banking sector in KSA of diversity management,
including disability DM, in the banking sector. The interview data
were analysed using thematic analysis. Two interviewees stated that
banks used the employment of people with disabilities to enhance
their corporate image, while five expressed the opinion that disabled
employees could contribute to the bank provided they did not have to
deal with customers face-to-face. Nine of the interviewees perceived
that disabled employees could be of value to the bank for their own
sake, not only in ‘behind the scenes’ roles. Another two interviewees
mentioned that employing disabled people could be part of the bank’s
community service programme and one thought it would be part of
the bank’s Saudisation efforts. The remaining five interviewees did
not know how disabled people could contribute to the bank.
The findings show that disability DM in the banking sector in
KSA is a relatively new concept, and is not yet well understood. In
the light of the findings, in order to achieve the purpose of the paper,
the following suggestions were made for the enhancement of
disability DM in the banking sector in KSA. A change in attitudes
towards disabled people is necessary. Such a change in the workplace
can only be achieved if a top-down approach is taken to the
integration of disabled people. Hence, it is suggested that
management and employees follow a course in disability awareness.
Further, a diversity officer in the HR department could enhance the
integration of disabled people into the banking workforce. It is also
suggested that greater government support is required through closely
monitored and enforced anti-discrimination legislation. Moreover,
flexible working arrangements such as part-time work would
facilitate the employment of disabled people and benefit other groups
of employees.
Abstract: In today’s world, the LED display has been used for
presenting visual information under various circumstances. Such
information is an important intermediary in the human information
processing. Researchers have been investigated diverse factors that
influence this process effectiveness. The letter size is undoubtedly
one major factor that has been tested and recommended by many
standards and guidelines. However, viewing information on the
display from direct perpendicular position is a typical assumption
whereas many actual events are required viewing from the angles.
This current research aims to study the effect of oblique viewing
angle and viewing distance on ability to recognize alphabet, number,
and English word. The total of ten participants was volunteered to our
3 x 4 x 4 within subject study. Independent variables include three
distance levels (2, 6, and 12 m), four oblique angles (0, 45, 60, 75
degree), and four target types (alphabet, number, short word, and
long word). Following the method of constant stimuli our study
suggests that the larger oblique angle, ranging from 0 to 75 degree
from the line of sight, results in significant higher legibility threshold
or larger font size required (p-value < 0.05). Viewing distance factor
also shows to have significant effect on the threshold (p-value
Abstract: In this study, we aim to demonstrate a microgrid
system experimental simulation for an easy understanding of a
large-scale microgrid system. This model is required for industrial
training and learning environments. However, in order to create an
exact representation of a microgrid system, the laboratory-scale
system must fulfill the requirements of a grid-connected inverter, in
which power values are assigned to the system to cope with the
intermittent output from renewable energy sources. Aside from that,
during fluctuations in load capacity, the grid-connected system must
be able to supply power from the utility grid side and microgrid side in
a balanced manner. Therefore, droop control is installed in the
inverter’s control board to maintain a balanced power sharing in both
sides. This power control in a stand-alone condition and droop control
in a grid-connected condition must be implemented in order to
maintain a stabilized system. Based on the experimental results, power
control and droop control can both be applied in the system by
comparing the experimental and reference values.
Abstract: We introduced an all-optical multicasting
characteristics with wavelength conversion based on a novel
all-optical triode using negative feedback semiconductor optical
amplifier. This study was demonstrated with a transfer speed of 10
Gb/s to a non-return zero 231-1 pseudorandom bit sequence system.
This multi-wavelength converter device can simultaneously provide
three channels of output signal with the support of non-inverted and
inverted conversion. We studied that an all-optical multicasting and
wavelength conversion accomplishing cross gain modulation is
effective in a semiconductor optical amplifier which is effective to
provide an inverted conversion thus negative feedback. The
relationship of received power of back to back signal and output
signals with wavelength 1535 nm, 1540 nm, 1545 nm, 1550 nm, and
1555 nm with bit error rate was investigated. It was reported that the
output signal wavelengths were successfully converted and modulated
with a power penalty of less than 8.7 dB, which the highest is 8.6 dB
while the lowest is 4.4 dB. It was proved that all-optical multicasting
and wavelength conversion using an optical triode with a negative
feedback by three channels at the same time at a speed of 10 Gb/s is a
promising device for the new wavelength conversion technology.
Abstract: GRF, Growth regulating factor, genes encode a novel
class of plant-specific transcription factors. The GRF proteins play a
role in the regulation of cell numbers in young and growing tissues
and may act as transcription activations in growth and development
of plants. Identification of GRF genes and their expression are
important in plants to performance of the growth and development of
various organs. In this study, to better understanding the structural
and functional differences of GRFs family, 45 GRF proteins
sequences in A. thaliana, Z. mays, O. sativa, B. napus, B. rapa, H.
vulgare and S. bicolor, have been collected and analyzed through
bioinformatics data mining. As a result, in secondary structure of
GRFs, the number of alpha helices was more than beta sheets and in
all of them QLQ domains were completely in the biggest alpha helix.
In all GRFs, QLQ and WRC domains were completely protected
except in AtGRF9. These proteins have no trans-membrane domain
and due to have nuclear localization signals act in nuclear and they
are component of unstable proteins in the test tube.
Abstract: The substantial similarity of fatigue mechanism in a
new test rig for rolling contact fatigue (RCF) has been investigated. A
new reduced-scale test rig is designed to perform controlled RCF
tests in wheel-rail materials. The fatigue mechanism of the rig is
evaluated in this study using a combined finite element-fatigue
prediction approach. The influences of loading conditions on fatigue
crack initiation have been studied. Furthermore, the effects of some
artificial defects (squat-shape) on fatigue lives are examined. To
simulate the vehicle-track interaction by means of the test rig, a threedimensional
finite element (FE) model is built up. The nonlinear
material behaviour of the rail steel is modelled in the contact
interface. The results of FE simulations are combined with the critical
plane concept to determine the material points with the greatest
possibility of fatigue failure. Based on the stress-strain responses, by
employing of previously postulated criteria for fatigue crack initiation
(plastic shakedown and ratchetting), fatigue life analysis is carried
out. The results are reported for various loading conditions and
different defect sizes. Afterward, the cyclic mechanism of the test rig
is evaluated from the operational viewpoint. The results of fatigue
life predictions are compared with the expected number of cycles of
the test rig by its cyclic nature. Finally, the estimative duration of the
experiments until fatigue crack initiation is roughly determined.
Abstract: A new small–scale test rig developed for rolling
contact fatigue (RCF) investigations in wheel–rail material. This
paper presents the scaling strategy of the rig based on dimensional
analysis and mechanical modelling. The new experimental rig is
indeed a spinning frame structure with multiple wheel components
over a fixed rail-track ring, capable of simulating continuous wheelrail
contact in a laboratory scale. This paper describes the
dimensional design of the rig, to derive its overall scaling strategy
and to determine the key elements’ specifications. Finite element
(FE) modelling is used to simulate the mechanical behavior of the rig
with two sample scale factors of 1/5 and 1/7. The results of FE
models are compared with the actual railway system to observe the
effectiveness of the chosen scales. The mechanical properties of the
components and variables of the system are finally determined
through the design process.
Abstract: Thanks to informational technologies development
every sphere of economics is becoming more and more datacentralized
as people are generating huge datasets containing
information on any aspect of their life. Applying research of such
data to human resources management allows getting scarce statistics
on labor market state including salary expectations and potential
employees’ typical career behavior, and this information can become
a reliable basis for management decisions.
The following article presents results of career behavior research
based on freely accessible resume data. Information used for study is
much wider than one usually uses in human resources surveys. That
is why there is enough data for statistically significant results even
for subgroups analysis.
Abstract: This study is purposed to develop an efficient fault
detection method for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
applications based on adaptive noise covariance estimation. Due to the
dependence on radio frequency signals, GNSS measurements are
dominated by systematic errors in receiver’s operating environment.
In the proposed method, the pseudorange and carrier-phase
measurement noise covariances are obtained at time propagations and
measurement updates in process of Carrier-Smoothed Code (CSC)
filtering, respectively. The test statistics for fault detection are
generated by the estimated measurement noise covariances. To
evaluate the fault detection capability, intentional faults were added to
the filed-collected measurements. The experiment result shows that
the proposed method is efficient in detecting unhealthy measurements
and improves GNSS positioning accuracy against fault occurrences.
Abstract: One of the most important tasks in the risk
management is the correct determination of probability of default
(PD) of particular financial subjects. In this paper a possibility of
determination of financial institution’s PD according to the creditscoring
models is discussed. The paper is divided into the two parts.
The first part is devoted to the estimation of the three different
models (based on the linear discriminant analysis, logit regression
and probit regression) from the sample of almost three hundred US
commercial banks. Afterwards these models are compared and
verified on the control sample with the view to choose the best one.
The second part of the paper is aimed at the application of the chosen
model on the portfolio of three key Czech banks to estimate their
present financial stability. However, it is not less important to be able
to estimate the evolution of PD in the future. For this reason, the
second task in this paper is to estimate the probability distribution of
the future PD for the Czech banks. So, there are sampled randomly
the values of particular indicators and estimated the PDs’ distribution,
while it’s assumed that the indicators are distributed according to the
multidimensional subordinated Lévy model (Variance Gamma model
and Normal Inverse Gaussian model, particularly). Although the
obtained results show that all banks are relatively healthy, there is
still high chance that “a financial crisis” will occur, at least in terms
of probability. This is indicated by estimation of the various quantiles
in the estimated distributions. Finally, it should be noted that the
applicability of the estimated model (with respect to the used data) is
limited to the recessionary phase of the financial market.