Abstract: this paper presents an auto-regressive network called the Auto-Regressive Multi-Context Recurrent Neural Network (ARMCRN), which forecasts the daily peak load for two large power plant systems. The auto-regressive network is a combination of both recurrent and non-recurrent networks. Weather component variables are the key elements in forecasting because any change in these variables affects the demand of energy load. So the AR-MCRN is used to learn the relationship between past, previous, and future exogenous and endogenous variables. Experimental results show that using the change in weather components and the change that occurred in past load as inputs to the AR-MCRN, rather than the basic weather parameters and past load itself as inputs to the same network, produce higher accuracy of predicted load. Experimental results also show that using exogenous and endogenous variables as inputs is better than using only the exogenous variables as inputs to the network.
Abstract: In this paper, we introduce an mobile agent framework
with proactive load balancing for ambient intelligence (AmI) environments.
One of the main obstacles of AmI is the scalability in
which the openness of AmI environment introduces dynamic resource
requirements on agencies. To mediate this scalability problem, our
framework proposes a load balancing module to proactively analyze
the resource consumption of network bandwidth and preferred agencies
to suggest the optimal communication method to its user. The
framework generally formulates an AmI environment that consists
of three main components: (1) mobile devices, (2) hosts or agencies,
and (3) directory service center (DSC). A preliminary implementation
was conducted with NetLogo and the experimental results show that
the proposed approach provides enhanced system performance by
minimizing the network utilization to provide users with responsive
services.
Abstract: This paper presents a sensor-based motion planning algorithm for 3-DOF car-like robots with a nonholonomic constraint. Similar to the classic Bug family algorithms, the proposed algorithm enables the car-like robot to navigate in a completely unknown environment using only the range sensor information. The car-like robot uses the local range sensor view to determine the local path so that it moves towards the goal. To guarantee that the robot can approach the goal, the two modes of motion are repeated, termed motion-to-goal and wall-following. The motion-to-goal behavior lets the robot directly move toward the goal, and the wall-following behavior makes the robot circumnavigate the obstacle boundary until it meets the leaving condition. For each behavior, the nonholonomic motion for the car-like robot is planned in terms of the instantaneous turning radius. The proposed algorithm is implemented to the real robot and the experimental results show the performance of proposed algorithm.
Abstract: This paper presents a cold flow simulation study of a small gas turbine combustor performed using laboratory scale test rig. The main objective of this investigation is to obtain physical insight of the main vortex, responsible for the efficient mixing of fuel and air. Such models are necessary for predictions and optimization of real gas turbine combustors. Air swirler can control the combustor performance by assisting in the fuel-air mixing process and by producing recirculation region which can act as flame holders and influences residence time. Thus, proper selection of a swirler is needed to enhance combustor performance and to reduce NOx emissions. Three different axial air swirlers were used based on their vane angles i.e., 30°, 45°, and 60°. Three-dimensional, viscous, turbulent, isothermal flow characteristics of the combustor model operating at room temperature were simulated via Reynolds- Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) code. The model geometry has been created using solid model, and the meshing has been done using GAMBIT preprocessing package. Finally, the solution and analysis were carried out in a FLUENT solver. This serves to demonstrate the capability of the code for design and analysis of real combustor. The effects of swirlers and mass flow rate were examined. Details of the complex flow structure such as vortices and recirculation zones were obtained by the simulation model. The computational model predicts a major recirculation zone in the central region immediately downstream of the fuel nozzle and a second recirculation zone in the upstream corner of the combustion chamber. It is also shown that swirler angles changes have significant effects on the combustor flowfield as well as pressure losses.
Abstract: Reducing energy consumption of embedded systems requires careful memory management. It has been shown that Scratch- Pad Memories (SPMs) are low size, low cost, efficient (i.e. energy saving) data structures directly managed at the software level. In this paper, the focus is on heuristic methods for SPMs management. A method is efficient if the number of accesses to SPM is as large as possible and if all available space (i.e. bits) is used. A Tabu Search (TS) approach for memory management is proposed which is, to the best of our knowledge, a new original alternative to the best known existing heuristic (BEH). In fact, experimentations performed on benchmarks show that the Tabu Search method is as efficient as BEH (in terms of energy consumption) but BEH requires a sorting which can be computationally expensive for a large amount of data. TS is easy to implement and since no sorting is necessary, unlike BEH, the corresponding sorting time is saved. In addition to that, in a dynamic perspective where the maximum capacity of the SPM is not known in advance, the TS heuristic will perform better than BEH.
Abstract: A bond graph model of an electrical transformer
including the nonlinear saturation is presented. A nonlinear observer for the transformer based on multivariable circle
criterion in the physical domain is proposed. In order to show the saturation and hysteresis effects on the electrical transformer,
simulation results are obtained. Finally, the paper describes that convergence of the estimates to the true states is achieved.
Abstract: Textile structures are engineered and fabricated to
meet worldwide structural applications. Nevertheless, research
varying textile structure on natural fibre as composite reinforcement
was found to be very limited. Most of the research is focusing on
short fibre and random discontinuous orientation of the reinforcement
structure. Realizing that natural fibre (NF) composite had been
widely developed to be used as synthetic fibre composite
replacement, this research attempted to examine the influence of
woven and cross-ply laminated structure towards its mechanical
performances. Laminated natural fibre composites were developed
using hand lay-up and vacuum bagging technique. Impact and
flexural strength were investigated as a function of fibre type (coir
and kenaf) and reinforcement structure (imbalanced plain woven,
0°/90° cross-ply and +45°/-45° cross-ply). Multi-level full factorial
design of experiment (DOE) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was
employed to impart data as to how fibre type and reinforcement
structure parameters affect the mechanical properties of the
composites. This systematic experimentation has led to determination
of significant factors that predominant influences the impact and
flexural properties of the textile composites. It was proven that both
fibre type and reinforcement structure demonstrated significant
difference results. Overall results indicated that coir composite and
woven structure exhibited better impact and flexural strength. Yet,
cross-ply composite structure demonstrated better fracture resistance.
Abstract: In this article, we discuss project-based learning in the context of a wheel garden as an instructional tool in science and mathematics education. A wheel garden provides multiple opportunities to teach across the curriculum, to integrate disciplines, and to promote community involvement. Grounded in the theoretical framework of constructivism, the wheel garden provides a multidisciplined educational tool that provides a hands-on, non-traditional arena for learning. We will examine some of the cultural, art, science, and mathematics connections made with this project.
Abstract: In this paper the Huang-s method for solving a m×n fuzzy linear system when, m≤ n, is considered. The method in detail is discussed and illustrated by solving some numerical examples.
Abstract: The occurrence and removal of trace organic
contaminants in the aquatic environment has become a focus of
environmental concern. For the selective removal of carbamazepine
from loaded waters molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were
synthesized with carbamazepine as template. Parameters varied were
the type of monomer, crosslinker, and porogen, the ratio of starting
materials, and the synthesis temperature. Best results were obtained
with a template to crosslinker ratio of 1:20, toluene as porogen, and
methacrylic acid (MAA) as monomer. MIPs were then capable to
recover carbamazepine by 93% from a 10-5 M landfill leachate
solution containing also caffeine and salicylic acid. By comparison,
carbamazepine recoveries of 75% were achieved using a nonimprinted
polymer (NIP) synthesized under the same conditions, but
without template. In landfill leachate containing solutions
carbamazepine was adsorbed by 93-96% compared with an uptake of
73% by activated carbon. The best solvent for desorption was
acetonitrile, with which the amount of solvent necessary and dilution
with water was tested. Selected MIPs were tested for their reusability
and showed good results for at least five cycles. Adsorption
isotherms were prepared with carbamazepine solutions in the
concentration range of 0.01 M to 5*10-6 M. The heterogeneity index
showed a more homogenous binding site distribution.
Abstract: The paper explores the development of an optimization of method and apparatus for retrieving extended high dynamic range from digital negative image. Architectural photo imaging can benefit from high dynamic range imaging (HDRI) technique for preserving and presenting sufficient luminance in the shadow and highlight clipping image areas. The HDRI technique that requires multiple exposure images as the source of HDRI rendering may not be effective in terms of time efficiency during the acquisition process and post-processing stage, considering it has numerous potential imaging variables and technical limitations during the multiple exposure process. This paper explores an experimental method and apparatus that aims to expand the dynamic range from digital negative image in HDRI environment. The method and apparatus explored is based on a single source of RAW image acquisition for the use of HDRI post-processing. It will cater the optimization in order to avoid and minimize the conventional HDRI photographic errors caused by different physical conditions during the photographing process and the misalignment of multiple exposed image sequences. The study observes the characteristics and capabilities of RAW image format as digital negative used for the retrieval of extended high dynamic range process in HDRI environment.
Abstract: Ever since industrial revolution began, our ecosystem
has changed. And indeed, the negatives outweigh the positives.
Industrial waste usually released into all kinds of body of water, such
as river or sea. Tempeh waste is one example of waste that carries
many hazardous and unwanted substances that will affect the
surrounding environment. Tempeh is a popular fermented food in
Asia which is rich in nutrients and active substances. Tempeh liquid
waste- in particular- can cause an air pollution, and if penetrates
through the soil, it will contaminates ground-water, making it
unavailable for the water to be consumed. Moreover, bacteria will
thrive within the polluted water, which often responsible for causing
many kinds of diseases. The treatment used for this chemical waste is
biological treatment such as constructed wetland and activated
sludge. These kinds of treatment are able to reduce both physical and
chemical parameters altogether such as temperature, TSS, pH, BOD,
COD, NH3-N, NO3-N, and PO4-P. These treatments are implemented
before the waste is released into the water. The result is a
comparation between constructed wetland and activated sludge,
along with determining which method is better suited to reduce the
physical and chemical subtances of the waste.
Abstract: Fine alignment of main ship power plants mechanisms
and shaft lines provides long-term and failure-free performance of
propulsion system while fast and high-quality installation of
mechanisms and shaft lines decreases common labor intensity. For
checking shaft line allowed stress and setting its alignment it is
required to perform calculations considering various stages of life
cycle. In 2012 JSC SSTC developed special software complex
“Shaftline” for calculation of alignment of having its own I/O
interface and display of shaft line 3D model. Alignment of shaft line
as per bearing loads is rather labor-intensive procedure. In order to
decrease its duration, JSC SSTC developed automated alignment
system from ship power plants mechanisms. System operation
principle is based on automatic simulation of design load on bearings.
Initial data for shaft line alignment can be exported to automated
alignment system from PC “Shaft line”.
Abstract: This article demonstrated development of
controlled release system of an NSAID drug, Diclofenac
sodium employing different ratios of Ethyl cellulose.
Diclofenac sodium and ethyl cellulose in different proportions
were processed by microencapsulation based on phase
separation technique to formulate microcapsules. The
prepared microcapsules were then compressed into tablets to
obtain controlled release oral formulations. In-vitro evaluation
was performed by dissolution test of each preparation was
conducted in 900 ml of phosphate buffer solution of pH 7.2
maintained at 37 ± 0.5 °C and stirred at 50 rpm. At predetermined
time intervals (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12,
16, 20 and 24 hrs). The drug concentration in the collected
samples was determined by UV spectrophotometer at 276 nm.
The physical characteristics of diclofenac sodium
microcapsules were according to accepted range. These were
off-white, free flowing and spherical in shape. The release
profile of diclofenac sodium from microcapsules was found to
be directly proportional to the proportion of ethylcellulose and
coat thickness. The in-vitro release pattern showed that with
ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 (drug: polymer), the percentage release of
drug at first hour was 16.91 and 11.52 %, respectively as
compared to 1:3 which is only 6.87 % with in this time. The
release mechanism followed higuchi model for its release
pattern. Tablet Formulation (F2) of present study was found
comparable in release profile the marketed brand Phlogin-SR,
microcapsules showed an extended release beyond 24 h.
Further, a good correlation was found between drug release
and proportion of ethylcellulose in the microcapsules.
Microencapsulation based on coacervation found as good
technique to control release of diclofenac sodium for making
the controlled release formulations.
Abstract: A homologous series of aromatic esters, 4-nalkanoyloxybenzylidene-
4--bromoanilines, nABBA,
consisting of two 1,4-disubstituted phenyl cores and a Schiff
base central linkage was synthesized. All the members can be
differed by the number of carbon atoms at terminal
alkanoyloxy chain (CnH2n-1COO-, n = 2, 6, 18). The molecular
structure of nABBA was confirmed with infrared
spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
spectroscopy and electron-ionization mass (EI-MS)
spectrometry. Mesomorphic properties were studied using
differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical
microscopy.
Abstract: In this treatise we will study the capability of static
compensator for reactive power to stabilize sheen voltage with motor
loading on power networks system. We also explain the structure and main function of STATCOM and the method to control it using STATCOM transformer current to simultaneously predict after
telling about the necessity of FACTS tools to compensate in power networks. Then we study topology and controlling system to stabilize
voltage during start of inductive motor. The outcome of stimulat by MATLAB software supports presented controlling idea and
system in the treatise.
Abstract: This paper considers the robust exponential stability issues for a class of uncertain switched neutral system which delays switched according to the switching rule. The system under consideration includes both stable and unstable subsystems. The uncertainties considered in this paper are norm bounded, and possibly time varying. Based on multiple Lyapunov functional approach and dwell-time technique, the time-dependent switching rule is designed depend on the so-called average dwell time of stable subsystems as well as the ratio of the total activation time of stable subsystems and unstable subsystems. It is shown that by suitably controlling the switching between the stable and unstable modes, the robust stabilization of the switched uncertain neutral systems can be achieved. Two simulation examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Abstract: one of the significant factors for improving the
accuracy of Land Surface Temperature (LST) retrieval is the correct
understanding of the directional anisotropy for thermal radiance. In
this paper, the multiple scattering effect between heterogeneous
non-isothermal surfaces is described rigorously according to the
concept of configuration factor, based on which a directional thermal
radiance model is built, and the directional radiant character for urban
canopy is analyzed. The model is applied to a simple urban canopy
with row structure to simulate the change of Directional Brightness
Temperature (DBT). The results show that the DBT is aggrandized
because of the multiple scattering effects, whereas the change range of
DBT is smoothed. The temperature difference, spatial distribution,
emissivity of the components can all lead to the change of DBT. The
“hot spot" phenomenon occurs when the proportion of high
temperature component in the vision field came to a head. On the other
hand, the “cool spot" phenomena occur when low temperature
proportion came to the head. The “spot" effect disappears only when
the proportion of every component keeps invariability. The model
built in this paper can be used for the study of directional effect on
emissivity, the LST retrieval over urban areas and the adjacency effect
of thermal remote sensing pixels.
Abstract: In this study, an inland metropolitan area, Gwangju, in Korea was selected to assess the amplification potential of earthquake motion and provide the information for regional seismic countermeasure. A geographic information system-based expert system was implemented for reliably predicting the spatial geotechnical layers in the entire region of interesting by building a geo-knowledge database. Particularly, the database consists of the existing boring data gathered from the prior geotechnical projects and the surface geo-knowledge data acquired from the site visit. For practical application of the geo-knowledge database to estimate the earthquake hazard potential related to site amplification effects at the study area, seismic zoning maps on geotechnical parameters, such as the bedrock depth and the site period, were created within GIS framework. In addition, seismic zonation of site classification was also performed to determine the site amplification coefficients for seismic design at any site in the study area. KeywordsEarthquake hazard, geo-knowledge, geographic information system, seismic zonation, site period.
Abstract: Problem-based learning (PBL) is one of the student
centered approaches and has been considered by a number of higher
educational institutions in many parts of the world as a method of
delivery. This paper presents a creative thinking approach for
implementing Problem-based Learning in Mechanics of Structure
within a Malaysian Polytechnics environment. In the learning
process, students learn how to analyze the problem given among the
students and sharing classroom knowledge into practice. Further,
through this course-s emphasis on problem-based learning, students
acquire creative thinking skills and professional skills as they tackle
complex, interdisciplinary and real-situation problems. Once the
creative ideas are generated, there are useful additional techniques
for tender ideas that will grow into a productive concept or solution.
The combination of creative skills and technical abilities will enable
the students to be ready to “hit-the-ground-running" and produce in
industry when they graduate.