Abstract: This purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a
model to accurately predict the cell temperature of a PV module that
adapts to various mounting configurations, mounting locations, and
climates while only requiring readily available data from the module
manufacturer. Results from this model are also compared to results
from published cell temperature models. The models were used to
predict real-time performance from a PV water pumping systems in
the desert of Medenine, south of Tunisia using 60-min intervals of
measured performance data during one complete year. Statistical
analysis of the predicted results and measured data highlight possible
sources of errors and the limitations and/or adequacy of existing
models, to describe the temperature and efficiency of PV-cells and
consequently, the accuracy of performance of PV water pumping
systems prediction models.
Abstract: Results of Chilean wine classification based on the
information provided by an electronic nose are reported in this paper.
The classification scheme consists of two parts; in the first stage,
Principal Component Analysis is used as feature extraction method to
reduce the dimensionality of the original information. Then, Radial
Basis Functions Neural Networks is used as pattern recognition
technique to perform the classification. The objective of this study is
to classify different Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carménère wine
samples from different years, valleys and vineyards of Chile.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the
environmental conservation behavior of the Applied Health Science
students of Suranaree University of Technology, a green and clean
university. The sample group was 184 Applied Health Science
students (medical, nursing, and public health). A questionnaire was
used to collect information.
The result of the study found that the students had more negative
than positive behaviors towards energy, water, and forest
conservation. This result can be used as basic information for
designing long-term behavior modification activities or research
projects on environmental conservation. Thus Applied Health
Science students will be encouraged to be conscious and also be a
good example of environmental conservation behavior.
Abstract: This study reports the implementation of Good
Manufacturing Practice (GMP) in a polycarbonate film processing
plant. The implementation of GMP took place with the creation of a
multidisciplinary team. It was carried out in four steps: conduct gap
assessment, create gap closure plan, close gaps, and follow up the
GMP implementation. The basis for the gap assessment is the
guideline for GMP for plastic materials and articles intended for Food
Contact Material (FCM), which was edited by Plastic Europe. The
effective results of the GMP implementation in this study showed
100% completion of gap assessment. The key success factors for
implementing GMP in production process are the commitment,
intention and support of top management.
Abstract: Web-based technologies have created numerous
opportunities for electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) communication.
There are many factors that affect customer adoption and decisionmaking
process. However, only a few researches focus on some
factors such as the membership time of forum and propensity to trust.
Using a discrete-time event simulation to simulate a diffusion model
along with a consumer decision model, the study shows the effect of
each factor on adoption of opinions on on-line discussion forum. The
purpose of this study is to examine the effect of factor affecting
information adoption and decision making process. The model is
constructed to test quantitative aspects of each factor. The simulation
study shows the membership time and the propensity to trust has an
effect on information adoption and purchasing decision. The result of
simulation shows that the longer the membership time in the
communities and the higher propensity to trust could lead to the
higher demand rates because consumers find it easier and faster to
trust the person in the community and then adopt the eWOM. Other
implications for both researchers and practitioners are provided.
Abstract: This article provides empirical evidence on the effect
of domestic and international factors on the U.S. current account
deficit. Linear dynamic regression and vector autoregression models
are employed to estimate the relationships during the period from 1986
to 2011. The findings of this study suggest that the current and lagged
private saving rate and foreign current account for East Asian
economies have played a vital role in affecting the U.S. current
account. Additionally, using Granger causality tests and variance
decompositions, the change of the productivity growth and foreign
domestic demand are determined to influence significantly the change
of the U.S. current account. To summarize, the empirical relationship
between the U.S. current account deficit and its determinants is
sensitive to alternative regression models and specifications.
Abstract: These days people love to travel around the world.
Regardless of their location and time, they especially Muslims still
need to perform their prayers. Normally for travelers, they need to
bring maps, compass and for Muslim, they even have to bring Qibla
pointer when they travel. It is slightly difficult to determine the Qibla
direction and to know the time for each prayer. As the technology
grows, many PDA equip with maps and GPS to locate their location.
In this paper we present a new electronic device called Mobile Qibla
and Prayer Time Finder to locate the Qibla direction and to
determine each prayer time based on the current user-s location using
PDA. This device use PIC microcontroller equipped with digital
compass where it will communicate with PDA using Bluetooth
technology and display the exact Qibla direction and prayer time
automatically at any place in the world. This device is reliable and
accurate in determining the Qibla direction and prayer time.
Abstract: Previous the 3D model texture generation from multi-view images and mapping algorithms has issues in the texture chart generation which are the self-intersection and the concentration of the texture in texture space. Also we may suffer from some problems due to the occluded areas, such as inside parts of thighs. In this paper we propose a texture mapping technique for 3D models using multi-view images on the GPU. We do texture mapping directly on the GPU fragment shader per pixel without generation of the texture map. And we solve for the occluded area using the 3D model depth information. Our method needs more calculation on the GPU than previous works, but it has shown real-time performance and previously mentioned problems do not occur.
Abstract: A key to success of high quality software development
is to define valid and feasible requirements specification. We have
proposed a method of model-driven requirements analysis using
Unified Modeling Language (UML). The main feature of our method
is to automatically generate a Web user interface mock-up from UML
requirements analysis model so that we can confirm validity of
input/output data for each page and page transition on the system by
directly operating the mock-up. This paper proposes a support method
to check the validity of a data life cycle by using a model checking tool
“UPPAAL" focusing on CRUD (Create, Read, Update and Delete).
Exhaustive checking improves the quality of requirements analysis
model which are validated by the customers through automatically
generated mock-up. The effectiveness of our method is discussed by a
case study of requirements modeling of two small projects which are a
library management system and a supportive sales system for text
books in a university.
Abstract: This research work is aimed at speech recognition
using scaly neural networks. A small vocabulary of 11 words were
established first, these words are “word, file, open, print, exit, edit,
cut, copy, paste, doc1, doc2". These chosen words involved with
executing some computer functions such as opening a file, print
certain text document, cutting, copying, pasting, editing and exit.
It introduced to the computer then subjected to feature extraction
process using LPC (linear prediction coefficients). These features are
used as input to an artificial neural network in speaker dependent
mode. Half of the words are used for training the artificial neural
network and the other half are used for testing the system; those are
used for information retrieval.
The system components are consist of three parts, speech
processing and feature extraction, training and testing by using neural
networks and information retrieval.
The retrieve process proved to be 79.5-88% successful, which is
quite acceptable, considering the variation to surrounding, state of
the person, and the microphone type.
Abstract: In ad hoc networks, the main issue about designing of protocols is quality of service, so that in wireless sensor networks the main constraint in designing protocols is limited energy of sensors. In fact, protocols which minimize the power consumption in sensors are more considered in wireless sensor networks. One approach of reducing energy consumption in wireless sensor networks is to reduce the number of packages that are transmitted in network. The technique of collecting data that combines related data and prevent transmission of additional packages in network can be effective in the reducing of transmitted packages- number. According to this fact that information processing consumes less power than information transmitting, Data Aggregation has great importance and because of this fact this technique is used in many protocols [5]. One of the Data Aggregation techniques is to use Data Aggregation tree. But finding one optimum Data Aggregation tree to collect data in networks with one sink is a NP-hard problem. In the Data Aggregation technique, related information packages are combined in intermediate nodes and form one package. So the number of packages which are transmitted in network reduces and therefore, less energy will be consumed that at last results in improvement of longevity of network. Heuristic methods are used in order to solve the NP-hard problem that one of these optimization methods is to solve Simulated Annealing problems. In this article, we will propose new method in order to build data collection tree in wireless sensor networks by using Simulated Annealing algorithm and we will evaluate its efficiency whit Genetic Algorithm.
Abstract: Researchers have been applying tional intelligence (AI/CI) methods to computer games. In this research field, further researchesare required to compare AI/CI
methods with respect to each game application. In th
our experimental result on the comparison of three evolutionary algorithms – evolution strategy, genetic algorithm, and their hybrid
applied to evolving controller agents for the CIG 2007 Simulated Car Racing competition. Our experimental result shows that, premature
convergence of solutions was observed in the case of ES, and GA outperformed ES in the last half of generations. Besides, a hybrid
which uses GA first and ES next evolved the best solution among the whole solutions being generated. This result shows the ability of GA in
globally searching promising areas in the early stage and the ability of ES in locally searching the focused area (fine-tuning solutions).
Abstract: Nevertheless the widespread application of finite
mixture models in segmentation, finite mixture model selection is
still an important issue. In fact, the selection of an adequate number
of segments is a key issue in deriving latent segments structures and
it is desirable that the selection criteria used for this end are effective.
In order to select among several information criteria, which may
support the selection of the correct number of segments we conduct a
simulation study. In particular, this study is intended to determine
which information criteria are more appropriate for mixture model
selection when considering data sets with only categorical
segmentation base variables. The generation of mixtures of
multinomial data supports the proposed analysis. As a result, we
establish a relationship between the level of measurement of
segmentation variables and some (eleven) information criteria-s
performance. The criterion AIC3 shows better performance (it
indicates the correct number of the simulated segments- structure
more often) when referring to mixtures of multinomial segmentation
base variables.
Abstract: Image Compression using Artificial Neural Networks
is a topic where research is being carried out in various directions
towards achieving a generalized and economical network.
Feedforward Networks using Back propagation Algorithm adopting
the method of steepest descent for error minimization is popular and
widely adopted and is directly applied to image compression.
Various research works are directed towards achieving quick
convergence of the network without loss of quality of the restored
image. In general the images used for compression are of different
types like dark image, high intensity image etc. When these images
are compressed using Back-propagation Network, it takes longer
time to converge. The reason for this is, the given image may
contain a number of distinct gray levels with narrow difference with
their neighborhood pixels. If the gray levels of the pixels in an image
and their neighbors are mapped in such a way that the difference in
the gray levels of the neighbors with the pixel is minimum, then
compression ratio as well as the convergence of the network can be
improved. To achieve this, a Cumulative distribution function is
estimated for the image and it is used to map the image pixels. When
the mapped image pixels are used, the Back-propagation Neural
Network yields high compression ratio as well as it converges
quickly.
Abstract: It well recognized that one feature that makes a
successful company is its ability to successfully align its business goals with its information communication technologies platform.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems contribute to achieve better performance by integrating various business functions and
providing support for information flows. However, the technological
systems complexity is known to prevent the business users to exploit in an efficient way the Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP).
This paper aims to investigate the role of training in improving the
usage of ERP systems. To this end, we have designed an instrument
survey to employees of a Norwegian multinational global provider of
technology solutions. Based on the analysis of collected data, we have delineated a training model that could be high relevance for
both researchers and practitioners as a step towards a better
understanding of ERP system implementation.
Abstract: Urban disaster risks and vulnerabilities are great problems for Turkey. The annual loss of life and property through disaster in the world-s major metropolitan areas is increasing. Urban concentrations of the poor and less-informed in environmentally fragile locations suffer the impact of disaster disproportionately. Gecekondu (squatter) developments will compound the inherent risks associated with high-density environments, in appropriate technologies, and inadequate infrastructure. On the other hand, there are many geological disadvantages such as sitting on top of active tectonic plate boundaries, and why having avalanche, flood, and landslide and drought prone areas in Turkey. However, this natural formation is inevitable; the only way to survive in such a harsh geography is to be aware of importance of these natural events and to take political and physical measures. The main aim of this research is to bring up the magnitude of natural hazard risks in Izmir built-up zone, not being taken into consideration adequately. Because the dimensions of the peril are not taken seriously enough, the natural hazard risks, which are commonly well known, are not considered important or they are being forgotten after some time passes. Within this research, the magnitude of natural hazard risks for Izmir is being presented in the scope of concrete and local researches over Izmir risky areas.
Abstract: In this paper, the dynamics of a system of two van der Pol oscillators with delayed position and velocity is studied. We provide an approximate solution for this system using parameterexpansion method. Also, we obtain approximate values for frequencies of the system. The parameter-expansion method is more efficient than the perturbation method for this system because the method is independent of perturbation parameter assumption.
Abstract: Let (U;D) be a Gr-covering approximation space
(U; C) with covering lower approximation operator D and covering
upper approximation operator D. For a subset X of U, this paper
investigates the following three conditions: (1) X is a definable subset
of (U;D); (2) X is an inner definable subset of (U;D); (3) X is an
outer definable subset of (U;D). It is proved that if one of the above
three conditions holds, then the others hold. These results give a
positive answer of an open problem for definable subsets of covering
approximation spaces.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the solubility of selected volatile organic compounds in water and silicon oil using the simple static headspace method. The experimental design allowed equilibrium achievement within 30 – 60 minutes. Infinite dilution activity coefficients and Henry-s law constants for various organics representing esters, ketones, alkanes, aromatics, cycloalkanes and amines were measured at 303K. The measurements were reproducible with a relative standard deviation and coefficient of variation of 1.3x10-3 and 1.3 respectively. The static determined activity coefficients using shaker flasks were reasonably comparable to those obtained using the gas liquid - chromatographic technique and those predicted using the group contribution methods mainly the UNIFAC. Silicon oil chemically known as polydimethysiloxane was found to be better absorbent for VOCs than water which quickly becomes saturated. For example the infinite dilution mole fraction based activity coefficients of hexane is 0.503 and 277 000 in silicon oil and water respectively. Thus silicon oil gives a superior factor of 550 696. Henry-s law constants and activity coefficients at infinite dilution play a significant role in the design of scrubbers for abatement of volatile organic compounds from contaminated air streams. This paper presents the phase equilibrium of volatile organic compounds in very dilute aqueous and polymeric solutions indicating the movement and fate of chemical in air and solvent. The successful comparison of the results obtained here and those obtained using other methods by the same authors and in literature, means that the results obtained here are reliable.
Abstract: Concrete strength evaluated from compression tests
on cores is affected by several factors causing differences from the
in-situ strength at the location from which the core specimen was
extracted. Among the factors, there is the damage possibly occurring
during the drilling phase that generally leads to underestimate the
actual in-situ strength. In order to quantify this effect, in this study
two wide datasets have been examined, including: (i) about 500 core
specimens extracted from Reinforced Concrete existing structures,
and (ii) about 600 cube specimens taken during the construction of
new structures in the framework of routine acceptance control. The
two experimental datasets have been compared in terms of
compression strength and specific weight values, accounting for the
main factors affecting a concrete property, that is type and amount of
cement, aggregates' grading, type and maximum size of aggregates,
water/cement ratio, placing and curing modality, concrete age. The
results show that the magnitude of the strength reduction due to
drilling damage is strongly affected by the actual properties of
concrete, being inversely proportional to its strength. Therefore, the
application of a single value of the correction coefficient, as generally
suggested in the technical literature and in structural codes, appears
inappropriate. A set of values of the drilling damage coefficient is
suggested as a function of the strength obtained from compressive
tests on cores.