Abstract: A pilot plant for continuous flow microwave-assisted
chemical reaction combined with microreactors was developed and
water heating tests were conducted for evaluation of the developed
plant. We developed a microwave apparatus having a single
microwave generator that can heat reaction solutions in four reaction
fields simultaneously in order to increase throughput. We also
designed a four-branch waveguide using electromagnetic simulation,
and found that the transmission efficiency at 99%. Finally, we
developed the pilot plant using the developed microwave apparatus
and conducted water heating tests. The temperatures in the respective
reaction fields were controlled within ±1.1 K at 353.2 K. Moreover,
the energy absorption rates by the water were about 90% in the
respective reaction fields, whereas the energy absorption rate was
about 40% when 100 cm3 of water was heated by a commercially
available multimode microwave chemical reactor.
Abstract: An experimental study is presented on the effect of
Conservation Agriculture (CA) compared to Conventional
Agriculture (ConvA) upon Maize Yield based on split-plot model.
Two factors have been considered: A Factor-Fertilization with two
variants: A1- N40P40 kg/ha and A2- N90P70 kg/ha; B Factor- Crop
protection with 4 variants : B1- 4 treatments, B2-3 treatments, B3- 2
treatments and B4- 1 treatment. In comparison with conventional
agriculture, CA determined lower maize yields. Fertilization is the
key factor determining a yield gain of 973.58 kg/ha in ConvA and
1,123.33 kg/ha in CA. A reduced number of treatments determined a
yield decline. The A-B interaction had a positive effect on maize
yield when a larger amount of fertilizer and 4 or 3 treatments were
applied in ConvA and a benefic in CA for highest fertilization level
and 2 treatments. The B2A2 ConvA variant was the most efficient
leading to 302.67 kg/ha gain while B3A2 CA variant brought 181.33
kg production gain.
Abstract: The flow field within the combustor of scramjet
engine is very complex and poses a considerable challenge in the
design and development of a supersonic combustor with an optimized
geometry. In this paper comprehensive numerical studies on flow
field characteristics of different cavity based scramjet combustors
with transverse injection of hydrogen have been carried out for both
non-reacting and reacting flows. The numerical studies have been
carried out using a validated 2D unsteady, density based 1st-order
implicit k-omega turbulence model with multi-component finite rate
reacting species. The results show a wide variety of flow features
resulting from the interactions between the injector flows, shock
waves, boundary layers, and cavity flows. We conjectured that an
optimized cavity is a good choice to stabilize the flame in the
hypersonic flow, and it generates a recirculation zone in the scramjet
combustor. We comprehended that the cavity based scramjet
combustors having a bearing on the source of disturbance for the
transverse jet oscillation, fuel/air mixing enhancement, and flameholding
improvement. We concluded that cavity shape with
backward facing step and 45o forward ramp is a good choice to get
higher temperatures at the exit compared to other four models of
scramjet combustors considered in this study.
Abstract: An approach is offered for more precise definition of base lines- borders in handwritten cursive text and general problems of handwritten text segmentation have also been analyzed. An offered method tries to solve problems arose in handwritten recognition with specific slant or in other words, where the letters of the words are not on the same vertical line. As an informative features, some recognition systems use ascending and descending parts of the letters, found after the word-s baseline detection. In such recognition systems, problems in baseline detection, impacts the quality of the recognition and decreases the rate of the recognition. Despite other methods, here borders are found by small pieces containing segmentation elements and defined as a set of linear functions. In this method, separate borders for top and bottom border lines are found. At the end of the paper, as a result, azerbaijani cursive handwritten texts written in Latin alphabet by different authors has been analyzed.
Abstract: Shirvan is located in plain in Northern Khorasan province north east of Iran and has semiarid to temperate climate. To investigate the annual changes in some qualitative parameters such as electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and chloride concentrations which have increased during ten continuous years. Fourteen groundwater sources including deep as well as semi-deep wells were sampled and were analyzed using standard methods. The trends of obtained data were analyzed during these years and the effects of different factors on the changes in electrical conductivity, concentration of chloride and total dissolved solids were clarified. The results showed that the amounts of some qualitative parameters have been increased during 10 years time which has led to decrease in water quality. The results also showed that increased in urban populations as well as extensive industrialization in the studied area are the most important reasons to influence underground water quality. Furthermore decrease in water quantity is also evident due to more water utilization and occurrence of recent droughts in the region during recent years.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose an approach for the classification of fingerprint databases. It is based on the fact that a fingerprint image is composed of regular texture regions that can be successfully represented by co-occurrence matrices. So, we first extract the features based on certain characteristics of the cooccurrence matrix and then we use these features to train a neural network for classifying fingerprints into four common classes. The obtained results compared with the existing approaches demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed approach.
Abstract: Hazard rate estimation is one of the important topics
in forecasting earthquake occurrence. Forecasting earthquake
occurrence is a part of the statistical seismology where the main
subject is the point process. Generally, earthquake hazard rate is
estimated based on the point process likelihood equation called the
Hazard Rate Likelihood of Point Process (HRLPP). In this research,
we have developed estimation method, that is hazard rate single
decrement HRSD. This method was adapted from estimation method
in actuarial studies. Here, one individual associated with an
earthquake with inter event time is exponentially distributed. The
information of epicenter and time of earthquake occurrence are used
to estimate hazard rate. At the end, a case study of earthquake hazard
rate will be given. Furthermore, we compare the hazard rate between
HRLPP and HRSD method.
Abstract: This paper deals with the project selection problem. Project selection problem is one of the problems arose firstly in the field of operations research following some production concepts from primary product mix problem. Afterward, introduction of managerial considerations into the project selection problem have emerged qualitative factors and criteria to be regarded as well as quantitative ones. To overcome both kinds of criteria, an analytic network process is developed in this paper enhanced with fuzzy sets theory to tackle the vagueness of experts- comments to evaluate the alternatives. Additionally, a modified version of Least-Square method through a non-linear programming model is augmented to the developed group decision making structure in order to elicit the final weights from comparison matrices. Finally, a case study is considered by which developed structure in this paper is validated. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is performed to validate the response of the model with respect to the condition alteration.
Abstract: This contribution aims to outline some topics around the process of introduction of compulsory electronic exchange of documents (so called e-Boxes) in public administration. The research was conducted in order to gauge the difference between the expectation of those using internal email and their experience in reality. Both qualitative and quantitative research is employed to lead also to an estimation of the willingness and readiness of government bodies, business units and citizens to adopt new technologies. At the same time the most potent barriers to successful e-communication through the e-Boxes are identified.
Abstract: This paper discusses the development of wireless
structure control of an induction motor scalar drives. This was
realised up on the wireless WiFi networks. This strategy of control is
ensured by the use of Wireless ad hoc networks and a virtual network
interface based on VNC which is used to make possible to take the
remote control of a PC connected on a wireless Ethernet network.
Verification of the proposed strategy of control is provided by
experimental realistic tests on scalar controlled induction motor
drives. The experimental results of the implementations with their
analysis are detailed.
Abstract: The network of delivering commodities has been an important design problem in our daily lives and many transportation applications. The delivery performance is evaluated based on the system reliability of delivering commodities from a source node to a sink node in the network. The system reliability is thus maximized to find the optimal routing. However, the design problem is not simple because (1) each path segment has randomly distributed attributes; (2) there are multiple commodities that consume various path capacities; (3) the optimal routing must successfully complete the delivery process within the allowable time constraints. In this paper, we want to focus on the design optimization of the Multi-State Flow Network (MSFN) for multiple commodities. We propose an efficient approach to evaluate the system reliability in the MSFN with respect to randomly distributed path attributes and find the optimal routing subject to the allowable time constraints. The delivery rates, also known as delivery currents, of the path segments are evaluated and the minimal-current arcs are eliminated to reduce the complexity of the MSFN. Accordingly, the correct optimal routing is found and the worst-case reliability is evaluated. It has been shown that the reliability of the optimal routing is at least higher than worst-case measure. Two benchmark examples are utilized to demonstrate the proposed method. The comparisons between the original and the reduced networks show that the proposed method is very efficient.
Abstract: A bird strike can cause damage to stationary and
rotating aircraft engine parts, especially the engine fan. This paper
presents a bird strike simulated by blocking four stator blade
passages. It includes the numerical results of the unsteady lowfrequency
aerodynamic forces and the aeroelastic behaviour caused
by a non-symmetric upstream flow affecting the first two rotor blade
stages in the axial-compressor of a jet engine. The obtained results
show that disturbances in the engine inlet strongly influence the level
of unsteady forces acting on the rotor blades. With a partially
blocked inlet the whole spectrum of low-frequency harmonics is
observed. Such harmonics can lead to rotor blade damage. The lowfrequency
amplitudes are higher in the first stage rotor blades than in
the second stage. In both rotor blades stages flutter appeared as a
result of bird strike.
Abstract: This paper studies the pth moment exponential synchronization of a class of stochastic neural networks with mixed delays. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, by establishing a new integrodifferential inequality with mixed delays, several sufficient conditions have been derived to ensure the pth moment exponential stability for the error system. The criteria extend and improve some earlier results. One numerical example is presented to illustrate the validity of the main results.
Abstract: The knee bracing steel frame (KBF) is a new kind of energy dissipating frame, which combines excellent ductility and lateral stiffness. In this framing system, a special form of diagonal brace connected to a knee element instead of beam-column joint, is investigated. Recently, a similar system was proposed and named as chevron knee bracing system (CKB) which in comparison with the former system has a better energy absorption characteristic and at the same time retains the elastic nature of the structures. Knee bracing can provide a stiffer bracing system but reduces the ductility of the steel frame. Chevron knee bracing can be employed to provide the desired ductility level for a design. In this article, relation between seismic performance and structural parameters of the two above mentioned systems are investigated and compared. Frames with similar dimensions but various heights in both systems are designed according to Iranian code of practice for seismic resistant design of building, and then based on a non-linear push over static analysis; the seismic parameters such as behavior factor and performance levels are compared.
Abstract: A novel low-cost flight simulator with the development
goals cost effectiveness and high performance has been realized for
meeting the huge pilot training needs of airlines. The simulator
consists of an aircraft dynamics model, a sophisticated designed
low-profile electrical driven motion system with a subsided cabin, a
mixed reality based semi-virtual cockpit system, a control loading
system and some other subsystems. It shows its advantages over
traditional flight simulator by its features achieved with open
architecture, software solutions and low-cost hardware.
Abstract: This paper presents the adaptation of the knowledge management model and intellectual capital measurement NOVA to the needs of work or research project must be developed when conducting a program of graduate-level master. Brackets are added in each of the blocks which is represented in the original model NOVA and which allows to represent those involved in each of these.
Abstract: Many studies have applied the Theory of Planned
Behavior (TPB) in predicting health behaviors among unique
populations. However, a new paradigm is emerging where focus is
now directed to modification and expansion of the TPB model rather
than utilization of the traditional theory. This review proposes new
models modified from the Theory of Planned Behavior and suggest
an appropriate study design that can be used to test the models within
physical activity and dietary practice domains among Type 2
diabetics in Kenya. The review was conducted by means of literature
search in the field of nutrition behavior, health psychology and
mixed methods using predetermined key words. The results identify
pre-intention and post intention gaps within the TPB model that need
to be filled. Additional psychosocial factors are proposed to be
included in the TPB model to generate new models and the efficacy
of these models tested using mixed methods design.
Abstract: Locality Sensitive Hashing (LSH) is one of the most
promising techniques for solving nearest neighbour search problem in
high dimensional space. Euclidean LSH is the most popular variation
of LSH that has been successfully applied in many multimedia
applications. However, the Euclidean LSH presents limitations that
affect structure and query performances. The main limitation of the
Euclidean LSH is the large memory consumption. In order to achieve
a good accuracy, a large number of hash tables is required. In this
paper, we propose a new hashing algorithm to overcome the storage
space problem and improve query time, while keeping a good
accuracy as similar to that achieved by the original Euclidean LSH.
The Experimental results on a real large-scale dataset show that the
proposed approach achieves good performances and consumes less
memory than the Euclidean LSH.
Abstract: Combining classifiers is a useful method for solving
complex problems in machine learning. The ECOC (Error Correcting
Output Codes) method has been widely used for designing combining
classifiers with an emphasis on the diversity of classifiers. In this
paper, in contrast to the standard ECOC approach in which individual
classifiers are chosen homogeneously, classifiers are selected
according to the complexity of the corresponding binary problem. We
use SATIMAGE database (containing 6 classes) for our experiments.
The recognition error rate in our proposed method is %10.37 which
indicates a considerable improvement in comparison with the
conventional ECOC and stack generalization methods.