Abstract: This research was conducted in the Lower Ping River
Basin downstream of the Bhumibol Dam and the Lower Wang River
Basin in Tak Province, Thailand. Most of the tributary streams of the
Ping can be considered as ungauged catchments. There are 10-
pumping station installation at both river banks of the Ping in Tak
Province. Recently, most of them could not fully operate due to the
water amount in the river below the level that would be pumping,
even though included water from the natural river and released flow
from the Bhumibol Dam. The aim of this research was to increase the
performance of those pumping stations using weir projects in the
Ping. Therefore, the river analysis system model (HEC-RAS) was
applied to study the hydraulic behavior of water surface profiles in
the Ping River with both cases of existing conditions and proposed
weirs during the violent flood in 2011 and severe drought in 2013.
Moreover, the hydrologic modeling system (HMS) was applied to
simulate lateral streamflow hydrograph from ungauged catchments of
the Ping. The results of HEC-RAS model calibration with existing
conditions in 2011 showed best trial roughness coefficient for the
main channel of 0.026. The simulated water surface levels fitted to
observation data with R2 of 0.8175. The model was applied to 3
proposed cascade weirs with 2.35 m in height and found surcharge
water level only 0.27 m higher than the existing condition in 2011.
Moreover, those weirs could maintain river water levels and increase
of those pumping performances during less river flow in 2013.
Abstract: This paper presents one comprehensive modelling approach for maintenance scheduling problem of thermal power units in competitive market. This problem is formulated as a 0/1 mixedinteger linear programming model. Model incorporates long-term bilateral contracts with defined profiles of power and price, and weekly forecasted market prices for market auction. The effectiveness of the proposed model is demonstrated through case study with detailed discussion.
Abstract: Drought is one of the most damaging climate-related
hazards, it is generally considered as a prolonged absence of
precipitation. This normal and recurring climate phenomenon had
plagued civilization throughout history because of the negative
impacts on economical, environmental and social sectors. Drought
characteristics are thus recognized as important factors in water
resources planning and management. The purpose of this study is to
detect the changes in drought frequency, persistence and severity
in the Ruhr river basin. The frequency of drought events was
calculated using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Used
data are daily precipitation records from seven meteorological
stations covering the period 1961-2007. The main benefit of the
application of this index is its versatility, only rainfall data is required
to deliver five major dimensions of a drought : duration, intensity,
severity, magnitude, and frequency. Furthermore, drought can be
calculated in different time steps. In this study SPI was calculated for
1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months. Several drought events were detected
in the covered period, these events contain mild, moderate and severe
droughts. Also positive and negative trends in the SPI values were
observed.
Abstract: In order to answer the general question: “What does a simple agent with a limited life-time require for constructing a useful representation of the environment?" we propose a robot platform including the simplest probabilistic sensory and motor layers. Then we use the platform as a test-bed for evaluation of the navigational capabilities of the robot with different “brains". We claim that a protocognitive behavior is not a consequence of highly sophisticated sensory–motor organs but instead emerges through an increment of the internal complexity and reutilization of the minimal sensory information. We show that the most fundamental robot element, the short-time memory, is essential in obstacle avoidance. However, in the simplest conditions of no obstacles the straightforward memoryless robot is usually superior. We also demonstrate how a low level action planning, involving essentially nonlinear dynamics, provides a considerable gain to the robot performance dynamically changing the robot strategy. Still, however, for very short life time the brainless robot is superior. Accordingly we suggest that small organisms (or agents) with short life-time does not require complex brains and even can benefit from simple brain-like (reflex) structures. To some extend this may mean that controlling blocks of modern robots are too complicated comparative to their life-time and mechanical abilities.
Abstract: Process planning and production scheduling play
important roles in manufacturing systems. In this paper a multiobjective
mixed integer linear programming model is presented for
the integrated planning and scheduling of multi-product. The aim is
to find a set of high-quality trade-off solutions. This is a
combinatorial optimization problem with substantially large solution
space, suggesting that it is highly difficult to find the best solutions
with the exact search method. To account for it, a PSO-based
algorithm is proposed by fully utilizing the capability of the
exploration search and fast convergence. To fit the continuous PSO
in the discrete modeled problem, a solution representation is used in
the algorithm. The numerical experiments have been performed to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Abstract: Manufacturing Industries face a crucial change as products and processes are required to, easily and efficiently, be reconfigurable and reusable. In order to stay competitive and flexible, situations also demand distribution of enterprises globally, which requires implementation of efficient communication strategies. A prototype system called the “Broadcaster" has been developed with an assumption that the control environment description has been engineered using the Component-based system paradigm. This prototype distributes information to a number of globally distributed partners via an adoption of the circular-based data processing mechanism. The work highlighted in this paper includes the implementation of this mechanism in the domain of the manufacturing industry. The proposed solution enables real-time remote propagation of machine information to a number of distributed supply chain client resources such as a HMI, VRML-based 3D views and remote client instances regardless of their distribution nature and/ or their mechanisms. This approach is presented together with a set of evaluation results. Authors- main concentration surrounds the reliability and the performance metric of the adopted approach. Performance evaluation is carried out in terms of the response times taken to process the data in this domain and compared with an alternative data processing implementation such as the linear queue mechanism. Based on the evaluation results obtained, authors justify the benefits achieved from this proposed implementation and highlight any further research work that is to be carried out.
Abstract: It is important to retain customer satisfaction in
information technology services. When a service failure occurs,
companies need to take service recovery action to recover their
customer satisfaction. Although companies cannot avoid all problems
and complaints, they should try to make up. Therefore, service failure
and service recovery have become an important and challenging issue
for companies. In this paper, the literature and the problems in the
information technology services were reviewed. An integrated model
of profit driven for the service failure and service recovery was
established in view of the benefit of customer and enterprise.
Moreover, the interaction between service failure and service recovery
strategy was studied, the result of which verified the matching
principles of the service recovery strategy and the type of service
failure. In addition, the relationship between the cost of service
recovery and customer-s cumulative value of service after recovery
was analyzed with the model. The result attributes to managers in
deciding on appropriate resource allocations for recovery strategies.
Abstract: The renewable energy has been attracting attention as
a new alternative energy due to the problem of environmental
pollution and resource depletion. In particular, daylighting and PV
system are regarded as the solutions. In this paper, the hybrid
dimming control system supplied by solar cell and daylighting
system was designed. Daylighting system is main source and PV
system is spare source. PV system operates the LED lamp which
supports daylighting system because daylighting system is unstable
due to the variation of irradiance. In addition, PV system has a role
charging batteries. Battery charging has a benefit that PV system
operate LED lamp in the bad weather. However, LED lamp always
can`t turn on that-s why dimming control system was designed. In
particular, the solar charging robot was designed to check the
interior irradiance intensity. These systems and the application of
the solar charging robot are expected to contribute developing
alternative energy in the near future.
Abstract: Extensive rainfall disaggregation approaches have been developed and applied in climate change impact studies such as flood risk assessment and urban storm water management.In this study, five rainfall models that were capable ofdisaggregating daily rainfall data into hourly one were investigated for the rainfall record in theChangi Airport, Singapore. The objectives of this study were (i) to study the temporal characteristics of hourly rainfall in Singapore, and (ii) to evaluate the performance of variousdisaggregation models. The used models included: (i) Rectangular pulse Poisson model (RPPM), (ii) Bartlett-Lewis Rectangular pulse model (BLRPM), (iii) Bartlett-Lewis model with 2 cell types (BL2C), (iv) Bartlett-Lewis Rectangular with cell depth distribution dependent on duration (BLRD), and (v) Neyman-Scott Rectangular pulse model (NSRPM). All of these models werefitted using hourly rainfall data ranging from 1980 to 2005 (which was obtained from Changimeteorological station).The study results indicated that the weight scheme of inversely proportional variance could deliver more accurateoutputs for fitting rainfall patterns in tropical areas, and BLRPM performedrelatively better than other disaggregation models.
Abstract: Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is a form of cloud
computing that relieves the user of the burden of hardware and
software installation and management. SaaS can be used at the course
level to enhance curricula and student experience. When cloud
computing and SaaS are included in educational literature, the focus
is typically on implementing administrative functions. Yet, SaaS can
make more immediate and substantial contributions to the technical
course content in educational offerings. This paper explores cloud
computing and SaaS, provides examples, reports on experiences
using SaaS to offer specialized software in courses, and analyzes the
advantages and disadvantages of using SaaS at the course level. The
paper contributes to the literature in higher education by analyzing
the major technical concepts, potential, and constraints for using
SaaS to deliver specialized software at the course level. Further it
may enable more educators and students to benefit from this
emerging technology.
Abstract: This paper deals with heterogeneous autoregressive
models of realized volatility (HAR-RV models) on high-frequency
data of stock indices in the USA. Its aim is to capture the behavior of
three groups of market participants trading on a daily, weekly and
monthly basis and assess their role in predicting the daily realized
volatility. The benefits of this work lies mainly in the application of
heterogeneous autoregressive models of realized volatility on stock
indices in the USA with a special aim to analyze an impact of the
global financial crisis on applied models forecasting performance.
We use three data sets, the first one from the period before the global
financial crisis occurred in the years 2006-2007, the second one from
the period when the global financial crisis fully hit the U.S. financial
market in 2008-2009 years, and the last period was defined over
2010-2011 years. The model output indicates that estimated realized
volatility in the market is very much determined by daily traders and
in some cases excludes the impact of those market participants who
trade on monthly basis.
Abstract: Cylindrical concrete reservoirs are appropriate choice
for storing liquids as water, oil and etc. By using of the pre-cast
concrete reservoirs instead of the in-situ constructed reservoirs, the
speed and precision of the construction would considerably increase.
In this construction method, wall and roof panels would make in
factory with high quality materials and precise controlling. Then,
pre-cast wall and roof panels would carry out to the construction site
for assembling. This method has a few faults such as: the existing
weeks in connection of wall panels together and wall panels to
foundation. Therefore, these have to be resisted under applied loads
such as seismic load. One of the innovative methods which was
successfully applied for seismic retrofitting of numerous pre-cast
cylindrical water reservoirs in New Zealand, using of the high tensile
cables around the reservoirs and post-tensioning them. In this paper,
analytical modeling of wall and roof panels and post-tensioned
cables are carried out with finite element method and the effect of
height to diameter ratio, post-tensioning force value, liquid level in
reservoir, installing position of tendons on seismic response of
reservoirs are investigated.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper primarily intends to develop GIS interface for estimating sequences of stream-flows at ungauged stations based on known flows at gauged stations. The integrated GIS interface is composed of three major steps. The first, precipitation characteristics using statistical analysis is the procedure for making multiple linear regression equation to get the long term mean daily flow at ungauged stations. The independent variables in regression equation are mean daily flow and drainage area. Traditionally, mean flow data are generated by using Thissen polygon method. However, method for obtaining mean flow data can be selected by user such as Kriging, IDW (Inverse Distance Weighted), Spline methods as well as other traditional methods. At the second, flow duration curve (FDC) is computing at unguaged station by FDCs in gauged stations. Finally, the mean annual daily flow is computed by spatial interpolation algorithm. The third step is to obtain watershed/topographic characteristics. They are the most important factors which govern stream-flows. In summary, the simulated daily flow time series are compared with observed times series. The results using integrated GIS interface are closely similar and are well fitted each other. Also, the relationship between the topographic/watershed characteristics and stream flow time series is highly correlated.
Abstract: Attempt was made to improve certain characteristics of bio-oil derived from palm kernel pyrolysis by blending it with diesel fuel and alcohols. Two types of alcohol, ethanol or butanol, was used as cosolvent to stabilize the phase of ternary systems. Phase behaviors and basic fuel properties of palm kernel bio-oildiesel- alcohol systems were investigated in this study. Alcohol types showed a significant influence on the phase characteristics with palm kernel bio-oil-diesel-butanol system giving larger soluble area than that of palm kernel bio-oil-diesel-ethanol system. For fuel properties, blended fuels showed superior properties including lower values of density (~860 kg/m3 at 25°C), viscosity (~4.12 mm2/s at 40°C), carbon residue (1.02-2.53 wt%), ash (0.018-0.034 wt%) and pour point (
Abstract: For best collaboration, Asynchronous tools and particularly the discussion forums are the most used thanks to their flexibility in terms of time. To convey only the messages that belong to a theme of interest of the tutor in order to help him during his tutoring work, use of a tool for classification of these messages is indispensable. For this we have proposed a semantics classification tool of messages of a discussion forum that is based on LSA (Latent Semantic Analysis), which includes a thesaurus to organize the vocabulary. Benefits offered by formal ontology can overcome the insufficiencies that a thesaurus generates during its use and encourage us then to use it in our semantic classifier. In this work we propose the use of some functionalities that a OWL ontology proposes. We then explain how functionalities like “ObjectProperty", "SubClassOf" and “Datatype" property make our classification more intelligent by way of integrating new terms. New terms found are generated based on the first terms introduced by tutor and semantic relations described by OWL formalism.
Abstract: The quality improvements of the environmental
elements could increase the recreational opportunities in a certain
area (destination). The technique of the need for recreation focuses
on choosing certain destinations for recreational purposes. The basic
exchange taken into consideration is the one between the satisfaction
gained after staying in that area and the value expressed in money
and time allocated. The number of tourists in the respective area, the
duration of staying and the money spent including transportation
provide information on how individuals rank the place or certain
aspects of the area (such as the quality of the environmental
elements).
For the statistical analysis of the environmental benefits offered by
an area through the need of recreation technique, the following stages
are suggested:
- characterization of the reference area based on the
statistical variables considered;
- estimation of the environmental benefit through
comparing the reference area with other similar areas
(having the same environmental characteristics), from
the perspective of the statistical variables considered.
The model compared in recreation technique faced with a series of
difficulties which refers to the reference area and correct
transformation of time in money.
Abstract: Gaharu that produced by Aquilaria spp. is classified as
one of the most valuable forest products traded internationally as it is
very resinous, fragrant and highly valuable heartwood. Gaharu has
been widely used in aromatheraphy, medicine, perfume and religious
practices. This work aimed to determine the factors affecting solid
liquid extraction of gaharu oil using hexane as solvent under
experimental condition. The kinetics of extraction was assumed and
verified based on a second-order mechanism. The effect of three
main factors, which were temperature, reaction time and solvent to
solid ratio were investigated to achieve maximum oil yield. The
optimum condition were found at temperature 65°C, 9 hours reaction
time and solvent to solid ratio of 12:1 with 14.5% oil yield. The
kinetics experimental data agrees and well fitted with the second
order extraction model. The initial extraction rate (h) was 0.0115
gmL-1min-1; the extraction capacity (Cs) was 1.282gmL-1; the second
order extraction constant (k) was 0.007 mLg-1min-1 and coefficient of
determination, R2 was 0.945.
Abstract: Human pose estimation can be executed using Active Shape Models. The existing techniques for applying to human-body research using Active Shape Models, such as human detection, primarily take the form of silhouette of human body. This technique is not able to estimate accurately for human pose to concern two arms and legs, as the silhouette of human body represents the shape as out of round. To solve this problem, we applied the human body model as stick-figure, “skeleton". The skeleton model of human body can give consideration to various shapes of human pose. To obtain effective estimation result, we applied background subtraction and deformed matching algorithm of primary Active Shape Models in the fitting process. The images which were used to make the model were 600 human bodies, and the model has 17 landmark points which indicate body junction and key features of human pose. The maximum iteration for the fitting process was 30 times and the execution time was less than .03 sec.
Abstract: This paper presents a multi-objective model for addressing two main objectives in designing rural roads networks: minimization of user operation costs and maximization of population covered. As limited budgets often exist, a reasonable trade-off must be obtained in order to account for both cost and social benefits in this type of networks. For a real-world rural road network, the model is solved, where all non-dominated solutions were obtained. Afterwards, an analysis is made on the (possibly) most interesting solutions (the ones providing better trade-offs). This analysis, coupled with the knowledge of the real world scenario (typically provided by decision makers) provides a suitable method for the evaluation of road networks in rural areas of developing countries.
Abstract: This paper analyses the performance of a genetic algorithm using a new concept, namely a fractional-order dynamic fitness function, for the synthesis of combinational logic circuits. The experiments reveal superior results in terms of speed and convergence to achieve a solution.