Abstract: Software reliability, defined as the probability of a
software system or application functioning without failure or errors
over a defined period of time, has been an important area of research
for over three decades. Several research efforts aimed at developing
models to improve reliability are currently underway. One of the
most popular approaches to software reliability adopted by some of
these research efforts involves the use of operational profiles to
predict how software applications will be used. Operational profiles
are a quantification of usage patterns for a software application. The
research presented in this paper investigates an innovative multiagent
framework for automatic creation and management of
operational profiles for generic distributed systems after their release
into the market. The architecture of the proposed Operational Profile
MAS (Multi-Agent System) is presented along with detailed
descriptions of the various models arrived at following the analysis
and design phases of the proposed system. The operational profile in
this paper is extended to comprise seven different profiles. Further,
the criticality of operations is defined using a new composed metrics
in order to organize the testing process as well as to decrease the time
and cost involved in this process. A prototype implementation of the
proposed MAS is included as proof-of-concept and the framework is
considered as a step towards making distributed systems intelligent
and self-managing.
Abstract: Optimization is often a critical issue for most system
design problems. Evolutionary Algorithms are population-based,
stochastic search techniques, widely used as efficient global
optimizers. However, finding optimal solution to complex high
dimensional, multimodal problems often require highly
computationally expensive function evaluations and hence are
practically prohibitive. The Dynamic Approximate Fitness based
Hybrid EA (DAFHEA) model presented in our earlier work [14]
reduced computation time by controlled use of meta-models to
partially replace the actual function evaluation by approximate
function evaluation. However, the underlying assumption in
DAFHEA is that the training samples for the meta-model are
generated from a single uniform model. Situations like model
formation involving variable input dimensions and noisy data
certainly can not be covered by this assumption. In this paper we
present an enhanced version of DAFHEA that incorporates a
multiple-model based learning approach for the SVM approximator.
DAFHEA-II (the enhanced version of the DAFHEA framework) also
overcomes the high computational expense involved with additional
clustering requirements of the original DAFHEA framework. The
proposed framework has been tested on several benchmark functions
and the empirical results illustrate the advantages of the proposed
technique.
Abstract: Shadow detection is still considered as one of the
potential challenges for intelligent automated video surveillance
systems. A pre requisite for reliable and accurate detection and
tracking is the correct shadow detection and classification. In such a
landscape of conditions, privacy issues add more and more
complexity and require reliable shadow detection.
In this work the intertwining between security, accuracy,
reliability and privacy is analyzed and, accordingly, a novel
architecture for Privacy Enhancing Video Surveillance (PEVS) is
introduced. Shadow detection and masking are dealt with through the
combination of two different approaches simultaneously. This results
in a unique privacy enhancement, without affecting security.
Subsequently, the methodology was employed successfully in a
large-scale wireless video surveillance system; privacy relevant
information was stored and encrypted on the unit, without
transferring it over an un-trusted network.
Abstract: The use of electronic sensors in the electronics
industry has become increasingly popular over the past few years,
and it has become a high competition product. The frequency
adjustment process is regarded as one of the most important process
in the electronic sensor manufacturing process. Due to inaccuracies
in the frequency adjustment process, up to 80% waste can be caused
due to rework processes; therefore, this study aims to provide a
preliminary understanding of the role of parameters used in the
frequency adjustment process, and also make suggestions in order to
further improve performance. Four parameters are considered in this
study: air pressure, dispensing time, vacuum force, and the distance
between the needle tip and the product. A full factorial design for
experiment 2k was considered to determine those parameters that
significantly affect the accuracy of the frequency adjustment process,
where a deviation in the frequency after adjustment and the target
frequency is expected to be 0 kHz. The experiment was conducted on
two levels, using two replications and with five center-points added.
In total, 37 experiments were carried out. The results reveal that air
pressure and dispensing time significantly affect the frequency
adjustment process. The mathematical relationship between these
two parameters was formulated, and the optimal parameters for air
pressure and dispensing time were found to be 0.45 MPa and 458 ms,
respectively. The optimal parameters were examined by carrying out
a confirmation experiment in which an average deviation of 0.082
kHz was achieved.
Abstract: The present work was conducted to find out the effect
of biofertilizer formulated with four species of bacteria (two species
of Azotobacter and two species of Lysobacter) and zinc sulphate.
Field experiments with mustard plant were conducted to study the
effectiveness of soil application of zinc sulphate and biofertilizer at
0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 days after sowing. Plant height and condition of
plant was found to be increased significantly using a mixture of
biofertilizer and zinc sulphate than other treatments after 40 days
sowing. Three treatments were also used in this field experiment such
as bacteria only, zinc sulphate only and mixture of biofertilizer and
zinc sulphate. The treatment using a mixture of zinc sulphate and
biofertilizer had the best yield (4688.008 kg/ha) within 50 days of
sowing and performed better than other treatments. Field experiment
using zinc sulphate only was second best yield (3380.75Kg/ha) and
biofertilizer only treatment gave (2639.04kg/ha).
Abstract: Intrusion Detection Systems are increasingly a key
part of systems defense. Various approaches to Intrusion Detection
are currently being used, but they are relatively ineffective. Artificial
Intelligence plays a driving role in security services. This paper
proposes a dynamic model Intelligent Intrusion Detection System,
based on specific AI approach for intrusion detection. The
techniques that are being investigated includes neural networks and
fuzzy logic with network profiling, that uses simple data mining
techniques to process the network data. The proposed system is a
hybrid system that combines anomaly, misuse and host based
detection. Simple Fuzzy rules allow us to construct if-then rules that
reflect common ways of describing security attacks. For host based
intrusion detection we use neural-networks along with self
organizing maps. Suspicious intrusions can be traced back to its
original source path and any traffic from that particular source will
be redirected back to them in future. Both network traffic and system
audit data are used as inputs for both.
Abstract: The removal efficiency of 4-chlorophenol with
different advanced oxidation processes have been studied. Oxidation
experiments were carried out using two 4-chlorophenol
concentrations: 100 mg L-1 and 250 mg L-1 and UV generated from a
KrCl excilamp with (molar ratio H2O2: 4-chlorophenol = 25:1) and
without H2O2, and, with Fenton process (molar ratio H2O2:4-
chlorophenol of 25:1 and Fe2+ concentration of 5 mg L-1).
The results show that there is no significant difference in the 4-
chlorophenol conversion when using one of the three assayed
methods. However, significant concentrations of the photoproductos
still remained in the media when the chosen treatment involves UV
without hydrogen peroxide. Fenton process removed all the
intermediate photoproducts except for the hydroquinone and the
1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene. In the case of UV and hydrogen peroxide
all the intermediate photoproducts are removed.
Microbial bioassays were carried out utilising the naturally
luminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri and a genetically modified
Pseudomonas putida isolated from a waste treatment plant receiving
phenolic waste. The results using V. fischeri show that with samples
after degradation, only the UV treatment showed toxicity (IC50 =38)
whereas with H2O2 and Fenton reactions the samples exhibited no
toxicity after treatment in the range of concentrations studied. Using
the Pseudomonas putida biosensor no toxicity could be detected for
all the samples following treatment due to the higher tolerance of the
organism to phenol concentrations encountered.
Abstract: This study aims at investigating factors in research
and development (R&D) growth and exploring the role of R&D
management in enhancing social innovation and productivity
improvement in Iran-s industrial sector. It basically explores the
common types of R&D activities and the industries which benefited
the most from active R&D units in Iran. The researchers generated
qualitative analyses obtained from primary and secondary data.
The primary data have been retrieved through interviews with five
key players (Managing Director, Internal Manager, General Manager,
Executive Manager, and Project Manager) in the industrial sector.
The secondary data acquired from an investigation on Mazandaran, a
province of northern Iran. The findings highlight Iran-s focuses of R
& D on cost reduction and upgrading productivity. Industries that
have benefited the most from active R&D units are metallic,
machinery and equipment design, and automotive.
We rank order the primary effects of R&D on productivity
improvement as follows, industry improvement, economic growth,
using professional human resources, generating productivity and
creativity culture, creating a competitive and innovative environment,
and increasing people-s knowledge.
Generally, low budget dedication and insufficient supply of highly
skilled scientists and engineers are two important obstacles for R&D
in Iran. Whereas, R&D has resulted in improvement in Iranian
society, transfer of contemporary knowledge into the international
market is still lacking.
Abstract: Prior to the use of detectors, characteristics
comparison study was performed and baseline established. In patient
specific QA, the portal dosimetry mean values of area gamma,
average gamma and maximum gamma were 1.02, 0.31 and 1.31 with
standard deviation of 0.33, 0.03 and 0.14 for IMRT and the
corresponding values were 1.58, 0.48 and 1.73 with standard
deviation of 0.31, 0.06 and 0.66 for VMAT. With ImatriXX 2-D
array system, on an average 99.35% of the pixels passed the criteria
of 3%-3 mm gamma with standard deviation of 0.24 for dynamic
IMRT. For VMAT, the average value was 98.16% with a standard
deviation of 0.86. The results showed that both the systems can be
used in patient specific QA measurements for IMRT and VMAT.
The values obtained with the portal dosimetry system were found to
be relatively more consistent compared to those obtained with
ImatriXX 2-D array system.
Abstract: In this paper, the action research driven design of a
context relevant, developmental peer review of teaching model, its
implementation strategy and its impact at an Australian university is
presented. PRO-Teaching realizes an innovative process that
triangulates contemporaneous teaching quality data from a range of
stakeholders including students, discipline academics, learning and
teaching expert academics, and teacher reflection to create reliable
evidence of teaching quality. Data collected over multiple classroom
observations allows objective reporting on development differentials
in constructive alignment, peer, and student evaluations. Further
innovation is realized in the application of this highly structured
developmental process to provide summative evidence of sufficient
validity to support claims for professional advancement and learning
and teaching awards. Design decision points and contextual triggers
are described within the operating domain. Academics and
developers seeking to introduce structured peer review of teaching
into their organization will find this paper a useful reference.
Abstract: In this paper, a decision aid method for preoptimization
is presented. The method is called “negotiation", and it
is based on the identification, formulation, modeling and use of
indicators defined as “negotiation indicators". These negotiation
indicators are used to explore the solution space by means of a classbased
approach. The classes are subdomains for the negotiation
indicators domain. They represent equivalent cognitive solutions in
terms of the negotiation indictors being used. By this method, we
reduced the size of the solution space and the criteria, thus aiding the
optimization methods. We present an example to show the method.
Abstract: In this paper, multilayered coreless printed circuit
board (PCB) step-down power transformers for DC-DC converter
applications have been designed, manufactured and evaluated. A set
of two different circular spiral step-down transformers were
fabricated in the four layered PCB. These transformers have been
modelled with the assistance of high frequency equivalent circuit and
characterized with both sinusoidal and square wave excitation. This
paper provides the comparative results of these two different
transformers in terms of their resistances, self, leakage, mutual
inductances, coupling coefficient and also their energy efficiencies.
The operating regions for optimal performance of these transformers
for power transfer applications are determined. These transformers
were tested for the output power levels of about 30 Watts within the
input voltage range of 12-50 Vrms. The energy efficiency for these
step down transformers is observed to be in the range of 90%-97% in
MHz frequency region.
Abstract: Currently, the demand for marine and fisheries commodity in Yogyakarta, Indonesia continues to increase. The existing condition shows that the aquaculture supply cannot be supplied by Yogyakarta region itself, but still need to be supported by regions outside Yogyakarta. The effort to optimize the market is initiated by reviewing and designing the supply chain of production and trade of aquaculture commodity in order to create the implementation of aquaculture production and trade commodity optimally. This formulated supply chain model indicates 4 performance indicators of measurable success in terms of: (1) efficiency; (2) flexibility; (3) responsiveness; and (4) quality. These indicators had been exercised as the success benchmarks for priority marketing management in local level as well as national level. The result of this research indicates that if the catfish fishery system is managed as business as usual then the catfish demand in Yogyakarta region will experience to increase in the future. The increase of demand is inline with the increase of number of people in Yogyakarta and also the fluctuation of catfish consumption per capita. The highest production of catfish will experience in the third year approximately 30,118 tons. Other result of the research indicates that the catfish demand in Yogyakarta region cannot be supplied yet from the local region. Therefore, to fulfill the supply from outside Yogyakarta region, the local farmers should improve the supply through land extension. The fluctuation of commodity price will experience in the future annually and the catfish supply from outside Yogyakarta region will be lowering the price in the market.
Abstract: In this paper, we consider Wiener nonlinear model for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The Wiener model of the SOFC consists of a linear dynamic block and a static output non-linearity followed by the block, in which linear part is approximated by state-space model and the nonlinear part is identified by a polynomial form. To control the SOFC system, we have to consider various view points such as operating conditions, another constraint conditions, change of load current and so on. A change of load current is the significant one of these for good performance of the SOFC system. In order to keep the constant stack terminal voltage by changing load current, the nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) is proposed in this paper. After primary control method is designed to guarantee the fuel utilization as a proper constant, a nonlinear model predictive control based on the Wiener model is developed to control the stack terminal voltage of the SOFC system. Simulation results verify the possibility of the proposed Wiener model and MPC method to control of SOFC system.
Abstract: In order to realize long-lived electric propulsion
systems, we have been investigating an electrodeless plasma thruster.
In our concept, a helicon plasma is accelerated by the magnetic nozzle
for the thrusts production. In addition, the electromagnetic thrust can
be enhanced by the additional radio-frequency rotating electric field
(REF) power in the magnetic nozzle. In this study, a direct
measurement of the electromagnetic thrust and a probe measurement
have been conducted using a laboratory model of the thruster under the
condition without the REF power input. Fromthrust measurement, it is
shown that the thruster produces a sub-milli-newton order
electromagnetic thrust force without the additional REF power. The
thrust force and the density jump are observed due to the discharge
mode transition from the inductive coupled plasma to the helicon wave
excited plasma. The thermal thrust is theoretically estimated, and the
total thrust force, which is a sum of the electromagnetic and the
thermal thrust force and specific impulse are calculated to be up to 650
μN (plasma production power of 400 W, Ar gas mass flow rate of 1.0
mg/s) and 210 s (plasma production power of 400 W, Ar gas mass flow
rate of 0.2 mg/s), respectively.
Abstract: This paper examines the problem of designing robust H controllers for for HIV/AIDS infection system with dual drug dosages described by a Takagi-Sugeno (S) fuzzy model. Based on a linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, we develop an H controller which guarantees the L2-gain of the mapping from the exogenous input noise to the regulated output to be less than some prescribed value for the system. A sufficient condition of the controller for this system is given in term of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). The effectiveness of the proposed controller design methodology is finally demonstrated through simulation results. It has been shown that the anti-HIV vaccines are critically important in reducing the infected cells.
Abstract: A closed-loop controlled wireless power transmission circuit block for implantable biomedical applications is described in this paper. The circuit consists of one front-end rectifier, power management sub-block including bandgap reference and low drop-out regulators (LDOs) as well as transmission power detection / feedback circuits. Simulation result shows that the front-end rectifier achieves 80% power efficiency with 750-mV single-end peak-to-peak input voltage and 1.28-V output voltage under load current of 4 mA. The power management block can supply 1.8mA average load current under 1V consuming only 12μW power, which is equivalent to 99.3% power efficiency. The wireless power transmission block described in this paper achieves a maximum power efficiency of 80%. The wireless power transmission circuit block is designed and implemented using UMC 65-nm CMOS/RF process. It occupies 1 mm × 1.2 mm silicon area.
Abstract: This study examines the influence of information
transparency and corporate governance on purchase directors and
officers liability (D&O) insurance decisions. The results show that
companies with greater information transparency have significant
demand for D&O insurance. Greater transparency in voluntary
disclosures is significantly and positively associated with demand for
insurance, indicating that increasing the degree of information
disclosure reduces information asymmetry for insurers, which
stimulates their willingness to provide greater protection.
Analysis of insured and uninsured subsamples indicates that
uninsured companies have superior corporate governance compared to
insured companies. Although insured companies tend to have weaker
corporate governance structures, they appoint Big 4 firms or industry
experts to compensate for the weakness of their corporate governance.
Empirical results indicate that purchasing D&O insurance can
strengthen external corporate governance and increase companies’
willingness to voluntarily provide more transparent information.
Abstract: This paper presents the experimental results of
leakage current waveforms which appears on porcelain insulator
surface due to existence of artificial pollutants. The tests have been
done using the chemical compounds of NaCl, Na2SiO3, H2SO4, CaO,
Na2SO4, KCl, Al2SO4, MgSO4, FeCl3, and TiO2. The insulator
surface was coated with those compounds and dried. Then, it was
tested in the chamber where the high voltage was applied. Using
correspondence analysis, the result indicated that the fundamental
harmonic of leakage current was very close to the applied voltage
and third harmonic leakage current was close to the yielded leakage
current amplitude. The first harmonic power was correlated to first
harmonic amplitude of leakage current, and third harmonic power
was close to third harmonic one. The chemical compounds of H2SO4
and Na2SiO3 affected to the power factor of around 70%. Both are the
most conductive, due to the power factor drastically increase among
the chemical compounds.
Abstract: Client expectations and preferences about therapy
represent an important area of investigation as research shows they
are linked to engagement in therapy and therapy outcomes. Studies
examining young people-s expectations and preferences of therapy
remain a neglected area of research. The present study explored what
expectations and preferences young people seeking professional help
held regarding: their role as a client, their therapist-s role, their
therapeutic outcomes, and the processes of therapy. Gender and age
differences were also examined. Participants included 188 young
people aged 12-25 who completed a survey while attending their
initial session at a youth mental health service. Data were analysed
using quantitative methods. Results found the young people held
significantly more pessimistic expectations around therapy when
compared to what they had wanted therapy to be like. Few age and
gender differences were found. Results highlight the importance of a
collaborative therapy approach when working with young people.