Abstract: With continuous rise of oil price, how to develop alternative energy source has become a hot topic around the world. This study discussed the dynamic characteristics of an island power system operating under random wind speed lower than nominal wind
speeds of wind turbines. The system primarily consists of three diesel engine power generation systems, three constant-speed variable-pitch wind turbines, a small hydraulic induction generation system, and lumped static loads. Detailed models based on Matlab/Simulink were developed to cater for the dynamic behavior of the system. The results suggested this island power system can operate stably in this operational mode. This study can serve as an important reference for planning, operation, and further expansion of island power systems.
Abstract: Due to the dynamic nature of the Cloud, continuous monitoring of QoS requirements is necessary to manage the Cloud computing environment. The process of QoS monitoring and SLA violation detection consists of: collecting low and high level information pertinent to the service, analyzing the collected information, and taking corrective actions when SLA violations are detected. In this paper, we detail the architecture and the implementation of the first step of this process. More specifically, we propose an event-based approach to obtain run time information of services developed as BPEL processes. By catching particular events (i.e., the low level information), our approach recognizes the run-time execution path of a monitored service and uses the BPEL execution patterns to compute QoS of the composite service (i.e., the high level information).
Abstract: The main goal of data mining is to extract accurate, comprehensible and interesting knowledge from databases that may be considered as large search spaces. In this paper, a new, efficient type of Genetic Algorithm (GA) called uniform two-level GA is proposed as a search strategy to discover truly interesting, high-level prediction rules, a difficult problem and relatively little researched, rather than discovering classification knowledge as usual in the literatures. The proposed method uses the advantage of uniform population method and addresses the task of generalized rule induction that can be regarded as a generalization of the task of classification. Although the task of generalized rule induction requires a lot of computations, which is usually not satisfied with the normal algorithms, it was demonstrated that this method increased the performance of GAs and rapidly found interesting rules.
Abstract: The Canadian aerospace industry faces many
challenges. One of them is the difficulty in estimating costs. In
particular, the design effort required in a project impacts resource
requirements and lead-time, and consequently the final cost. This
paper presents the findings of a case study conducted for recognized
global leader in the design and manufacturing of aircraft engines. The
study models parametric cost estimation relationships to estimate the
design effort of integrated blade-rotor low-pressure compressor fans.
Several effort drivers are selected to model the relationship.
Comparative analyses of three types of models are conducted. The
model with the best accuracy and significance in design estimation is
retained.
Abstract: The focal spot of a high intensity focused ultrasound
transducer is small. To heat a large target volume, multiple treatment spots are required. If the power of each treatment spot is fixed, it could
results in insufficient heating of initial spots and over-heating of later ones, which is caused by the thermal diffusion. Hence, to produce a
uniform heated volume, the delivered energy of each treatment spot
should be properly adjusted. In this study, we proposed an iterative, extrapolation technique to adjust the required ultrasound energy of
each treatment spot. Three different scanning pathways were used to evaluate the performance of this technique. Results indicate that by using the proposed technique, uniform heating volume could be obtained.
Abstract: Computer technology and the Internet have made a
breakthrough in the existence of data communication. This has
opened a whole new way of implementing steganography to ensure
secure data transfer. Steganography is the fine art of hiding the
information. Hiding the message in the carrier file enables the
deniability of the existence of any message at all. This paper designs
a stego machine to develop a steganographic application to hide data
containing text in a computer video file and to retrieve the hidden
information. This can be designed by embedding text file in a video
file in such away that the video does not loose its functionality using
Least Significant Bit (LSB) modification method. This method
applies imperceptible modifications. This proposed method strives
for high security to an eavesdropper-s inability to detect hidden
information.
Abstract: This paper is an exploration of the conceptual
confusion between E-learning and M-learning particularly in Africa.
Section I provides a background to the development of E-learning
and M-learning. Section II focuses on the conceptual analysis as it
applies to Africa. It is with an investigative and expansive mind that
this paper is elaborated to respond to a profound question of the
suitability of the concepts in a particular era in Africa. The aim of this
paper is therefore to shed light on which concept best suits the unique
situation of Africa in the era of cloud computing.
Abstract: The paper describes the carbonate microfacies identified in the Sinjar Formation (Late Paleocene–Early Eocene) cropping out in Qara Dagh Mountain, near Sulekan Village approximately 20km south–west of Sulaimani (Iraq). One section (62m thick) has been measured in the field and closely sampled to undertake detailed microfaciesal and micropalaeontological studies to determine the formation-s age and environment of deposition. A samples were collected illustrating all the lithological changes along the section. The limestone in the studied area is hard and extremely rich in large foraminifers (soritids, rotaliids, nummulites, miliolids) and green algae (dasycladales). The investigation of the thin sections allowed us to identify the carbonate microfacies (18 types and subtypes) and the micropaleontological association (foraminifers and green algae), to determine the age of formation and to reconstruct the paleoenvironment of deposition (fore-reef, reef, back-reef). Based on the field observations and the studied thin sections, we determined three Units of a carbonate platform (I, II and III) from the base to the top of the section: Unit I with coralgal associations, Unit II is dominated by larger foraminifers and haracterized by the absence of coralgal associations, while Unit III is dominated by small foraminifers (mostly miliolids), peloids and green algae. It is partially dolomitized.
Abstract: Sustainable development is a concept which was
originated in Burtland commission in 1978. Although this concept
was born with environmental aspects, it is penetrated in all areas
rapidly, turning into a dominate view of planning. Concentrating on
future generation issue, especially when talking about heritage has a
long story. Each approach with all of its characteristics illustrates
differences in planning, hence planning always reflects the dominate
idea of its age. This paper studies sustainable development in
planning for historical cities with the aim of finding ways to deal
with heritage in planning for historical cities in Iran. Through this, it
will be illustrated how challenges between sustainable concept and
heritage could be concluded in planning.
Consequently, the paper will emphasize on:
Sustainable development in city planning
Trends regarding heritage
Challenges due to planning for historical cities in Iran
For the first two issues, documentary method regarding the
sustainable development and heritage literature is considered. As the
next step focusing on Iranian historical cities require considering the
urban planning and management structure and identifying the main
challenges related to heritage, so analyzing challenges regarding
heritage is considered. As the result it would be illustrated that key
issue in such planning is active conservation to improve and use the
potential of heritage while it's continues conservation is guaranteed.
By emphasizing on the planning system in Iran it will be obvious that
some reforms are needed in this system and its way of relating with
heritage. The main weakness in planning for historical cities in Iran
is the lack of independent city management. Without this factor
achieving active conservation as the main factor of sustainable
development would not be possible.
Abstract: This paper presents three new methodologies for the
basic operations, which aim at finding new ways of computing union
(maximum) and intersection (minimum) membership values by
taking into effect the entire membership values in a fuzzy set. The
new methodologies are conceptually simple and easy from the
application point of view and are illustrated with a variety of
problems such as Cartesian product of two fuzzy sets, max –min
composition of two fuzzy sets in different product spaces and an
application of an inverted pendulum to determine the impact of the
new methodologies. The results clearly indicate a difference based on
the nature of the fuzzy sets under consideration and hence will be
highly useful in quite a few applications where different values have
significant impact on the behavior of the system.
Abstract: The area of Project Risk Management (PRM) has
been extensively researched, and the utilization of various tools and
techniques for managing risk in several industries has been
sufficiently reported. Formal and systematic PRM practices have
been made available for the construction industry. Based on such
body of knowledge, this paper tries to find out the global picture of
PRM practices and approaches with the help of a survey to look into
the usage of PRM techniques and diffusion of software tools, their
level of maturity, and their usefulness in the construction sector.
Results show that, despite existing techniques and tools, their usage is
limited: software tools are used only by a minority of respondents
and their cost is one of the largest hurdles in adoption. Finally, the
paper provides some important guidelines for future research
regarding quantitative risk analysis techniques and suggestions for
PRM software tools development and improvement.
Abstract: Simulation is a very helpful and valuable work tool in
manufacturing. It can be used in industrial field allowing the
system`s behavior to be learnt and tested. Simulation provides a low
cost, secure and fast analysis tool. It also provides benefits, which
can be reached with many different system configurations. Topics to
be discussed include: Applications, Modeling, Validating, Software
and benefits of simulation. This paper provides a comprehensive
literature review on research efforts in simulation.
Abstract: Traditionally, wind tunnel models are made of metal
and are very expensive. In these years, everyone is looking for ways
to do more with less. Under the right test conditions, a rapid
prototype part could be tested in a wind tunnel. Using rapid prototype
manufacturing techniques and materials in this way significantly
reduces time and cost of production of wind tunnel models. This
study was done of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and their ability
to make components for wind tunnel models in a timely and cost
effective manner. This paper discusses the application of wind tunnel
model configuration constructed using FDM for transonic wind
tunnel testing. A study was undertaken comparing a rapid
prototyping model constructed of FDM Technologies using
polycarbonate to that of a standard machined steel model. Testing
covered the Mach range of Mach 0.3 to Mach 0.75 at an angle-ofattack
range of - 2° to +12°. Results from this study show relatively
good agreement between the two models and rapid prototyping
Method reduces time and cost of production of wind tunnel models.
It can be concluded from this study that wind tunnel models
constructed using rapid prototyping method and materials can be
used in wind tunnel testing for initial baseline aerodynamic database
development.
Abstract: Research papers are usually evaluated via peer
review. However, peer review has limitations in evaluating research
papers. In this paper, Scienstein and the new idea of 'collaborative
document evaluation' are presented. Scienstein is a project to
evaluate scientific papers collaboratively based on ratings, links,
annotations and classifications by the scientific community using the
internet. In this paper, critical success factors of collaborative
document evaluation are analyzed. That is the scientists- motivation
to participate as reviewers, the reviewers- competence and the
reviewers- trustworthiness. It is shown that if these factors are
ensured, collaborative document evaluation may prove to be a more
objective, faster and less resource intensive approach to scientific
document evaluation in comparison to the classical peer review
process. It is shown that additional advantages exist as collaborative
document evaluation supports interdisciplinary work, allows
continuous post-publishing quality assessments and enables the
implementation of academic recommendation engines. In the long
term, it seems possible that collaborative document evaluation will
successively substitute peer review and decrease the need for
journals.
Abstract: Verification of real-time software systems can be
expensive in terms of time and resources. Testing is the main method
of proving correctness but has been shown to be a long and time
consuming process. Everyday engineers are usually unwilling to
adopt formal approaches to correctness because of the overhead
associated with developing their knowledge of such techniques.
Performance modelling techniques allow systems to be evaluated
with respect to timing constraints. This paper describes PARTES, a
framework which guides the extraction of performance models from
programs written in an annotated subset of C.
Abstract: This paper describes the results of an extensive study
and comparison of popular hash functions SHA-1, SHA-256,
RIPEMD-160 and RIPEMD-320 with JERIM-320, a 320-bit hash
function. The compression functions of hash functions like SHA-1
and SHA-256 are designed using serial successive iteration whereas
those like RIPEMD-160 and RIPEMD-320 are designed using two
parallel lines of message processing. JERIM-320 uses four parallel
lines of message processing resulting in higher level of security than
other hash functions at comparable speed and memory requirement.
The performance evaluation of these methods has been done by using
practical implementation and also by using step computation
methods. JERIM-320 proves to be secure and ensures the integrity of
messages at a higher degree. The focus of this work is to establish
JERIM-320 as an alternative of the present day hash functions for the
fast growing internet applications.
Abstract: The present study focuses on methods allowing a convenient and quick calculation of the SIFs in order to predict the static adhesive strength of bonded joints. A new SIF calculation method is proposed, based on the stresses obtained from a FE model at a reference point located in the adhesive layer at equal distance of the free-edge and of the two interfaces. It is shown that, even limiting ourselves to the two main modes, i.e. the opening and the shearing modes, and using the values of the stresses resulting from a low detailed FE model, an efficient calculation of the peeling stress at adhesive-substrate corners can be obtained by this way. The proposed method is interesting in that it can be the basis of a prediction tool that will allow the designer to quickly evaluate the SIFs characterizing a particular application without developing a detailed analysis.
Abstract: Delivering streaming video over wireless is an
important component of many interactive multimedia applications
running on personal wireless handset devices. Such personal devices
have to be inexpensive, compact, and lightweight. But wireless
channels have a high channel bit error rate and limited bandwidth.
Delay variation of packets due to network congestion and the high bit
error rate greatly degrades the quality of video at the handheld
device. Therefore, mobile access to multimedia contents requires
video transcoding functionality at the edge of the mobile network for
interworking with heterogeneous networks and services. Therefore,
to guarantee quality of service (QoS) delivered to the mobile user, a
robust and efficient transcoding scheme should be deployed in
mobile multimedia transporting network. Hence, this paper
examines the challenges and limitations that the video transcoding
schemes in mobile multimedia transporting network face. Then
handheld resources, network conditions and content based mobile
and wireless video transcoding is proposed to provide high QoS
applications. Exceptional performance is demonstrated in the
experiment results. These experiments were designed to verify and
prove the robustness of the proposed approach. Extensive
experiments have been conducted, and the results of various video
clips with different bit rate and frame rate have been provided.
Abstract: This paper discusses the cued speech recognition
methods in videoconference. Cued speech is a specific gesture
language that is used for communication between deaf people. We
define the criteria for sentence intelligibility according to answers of
testing subjects (deaf people). In our tests we use 30 sample videos
coded by H.264 codec with various bit-rates and various speed of
cued speech. Additionally, we define the criteria for consonant sign
recognizability in single-handed finger alphabet (dactyl) analogically
to acoustics. We use another 12 sample videos coded by H.264 codec
with various bit-rates in four different video formats. To interpret the
results we apply the standard scale for subjective video quality
evaluation and the percentual evaluation of intelligibility as in
acoustics. From the results we construct the minimum coded bit-rate
recommendations for every spatial resolution.
Abstract: A self-compacting concrete (SCC) is the one that can
be placed in the form and can go through obstructions by its own
weight and without the need of vibration. Since its first development
in Japan in 1988, SCC has gained wider acceptance in Japan, Europe
and USA due to its inherent distinct advantages. Although there are
visible signs of its gradual acceptance in the North Africa through its
limited use in construction, Libya has yet to explore the feasibility
and applicability of SCC in new construction. The contributing
factors to this reluctance appear to be lack of any supportive
evidence of its suitability with local aggregates and the harsh
environmental conditions. The primary aim of this study is to explore
the feasibility of using SCC made with local aggregates of Eastern
Province of Libya by examining its basic properties characteristics.
This research consists of: (i) Development of a suitable mix for SCC
such as the effect of water to cement ratio, limestone and silica fume
that would satisfy the requirements of the plastic state; (ii) Casting of
concrete samples and testing them for compressive strength and unit
weight. Local aggregates, cement, admixtures and industrial waste
materials were used in this research.
The significance of this research lies in its attempt to provide
some performance data of SCC made in the Eastern Province of
Libya so as to draw attention to the possible use of SCC.