Abstract: The oil and gas industry has moved towards Load and
Resistance Factor Design through API RP2A - LRFD and the
recently published international standard, ISO-19902, for design of
fixed steel offshore structures. The ISO 19902 is intended to provide
a harmonized design practice that offers a balanced structural fitness
for the purpose, economy and safety. As part of an ongoing work, the
reliability analysis of tubular joints of the jacket structure has been
carried out to calibrate the load and resistance factors for the design
of offshore platforms in Malaysia, as proposed in the ISO.
Probabilistic models have been established for the load effects (wave,
wind and current) and the tubular joints strengths. In this study the
First Order Reliability Method (FORM), coded in MATLAB
Software has been employed to evaluate the reliability index of the
typical joints, designed using API RP2A - WSD and ISO 19902.
Abstract: Color constancy algorithms are generally based on the
simplified assumption about the spectral distribution or the reflection
attributes of the scene surface. However, in reality, these assumptions
are too restrictive. The methodology is proposed to extend existing
algorithm to applying color constancy locally to image patches rather
than globally to the entire images.
In this paper, a method based on low-level image features using
superpixels is proposed. Superpixel segmentation partition an image
into regions that are approximately uniform in size and shape. Instead
of using entire pixel set for estimating the illuminant, only superpixels
with the most valuable information are used. Based on large scale
experiments on real-world scenes, it can be derived that the estimation
is more accurate using superpixels than when using the entire image.
Abstract: Short term electricity demand forecasts are required
by power utilities for efficient operation of the power grid. In a
competitive market environment, suppliers and large consumers also
require short term forecasts in order to estimate their energy
requirements in advance. Electricity demand is influenced (among
other things) by the day of the week, the time of year and special
periods and/or days such as Ramadhan, all of which must be
identified prior to modelling. This identification, known as day-type
identification, must be included in the modelling stage either by
segmenting the data and modelling each day-type separately or by
including the day-type as an input. Day-type identification is the
main focus of this paper. A Kohonen map is employed to identify the
separate day-types in Algerian data.
Abstract: Dr Eliyahu Goldratt has done the pioneering work in
the development of Theory of Constraints. Since then, many more
researchers around the globe are working to enhance this body of
knowledge. In this paper, an attempt has been made to compile the
salient features of this theory from the work done by Goldratt and
other researchers. This paper will provide a good starting point to the
potential researchers interested to work in Theory of Constraints. The
paper will also help the practicing managers by clarifying their
concepts on the theory and will facilitate its successful
implementation in their working areas.
Abstract: As the trend of manufacturing is being dominated depending on services, products and processes are more and more related with sophisticated services. Thus, this research starts with the discussion about integration of the product, process, and service in the innovation process. In particular, this paper sets out some foundations for a theory of service innovation in the field of manufacturing, and proposes the dynamic model of service innovation related to product and process. Two dynamic models of service innovation are suggested to investigate major tendencies and dynamic variations during the innovation cycle: co-innovation and sequential innovation. To structure dynamic models of product, process, and service innovation, the innovation stages in which two models are mainly achieved are identified. The research would encourage manufacturers to formulate strategy and planning for service development with product and process.
Abstract: Bone remodeling occurs by the balanced action of
bone resorbing osteoclasts (OC) and bone-building osteoblasts.
Increased bone resorption by excessive OC activity contributes
to malignant and non-malignant diseases including osteoporosis.
To study OC differentiation and function, OC formed in
in vitro cultures are currently counted manually, a tedious
procedure which is prone to inter-observer differences. Aiming
for an automated OC-quantification system, classification of
OC and precursor cells was done on fluorescence microscope
images based on the distinct appearance of fluorescent nuclei.
Following ellipse fitting to nuclei, a combination of eight
features enabled clustering of OC and precursor cell nuclei.
After evaluating different machine-learning techniques, LOGREG
achieved 74% correctly classified OC and precursor cell
nuclei, outperforming human experts (best expert: 55%). In
combination with the automated detection of total cell areas,
this system allows to measure various cell parameters and most
importantly to quantify proteins involved in osteoclastogenesis.
Abstract: A new digital transceiver circuit for asynchronous frame detection is proposed where both the transmitter and receiver contain all digital components, thereby avoiding possible use of conventional devices like monostable multivibrators with unstable external components such as resistances and capacitances. The proposed receiver circuit, in particular, uses a combinational logic block yielding an output which changes its state as soon as the start bit of a new frame is detected. This, in turn, helps in generating an efficient receiver sampling clock. A data latching circuit is also used in the receiver to latch the recovered data bits in any new frame. The proposed receiver structure is also extended from 4- bit information to any general n data bits within a frame with a common expression for the output of the combinational logic block. Performance of the proposed hardware design is evaluated in terms of time delay, reliability and robustness in comparison with the standard schemes using monostable multivibrators. It is observed from hardware implementation that the proposed circuit achieves almost 33 percent speed up over any conventional circuit.
Abstract: Subdivision is a method to create a smooth surface from a coarse mesh by subdividing the entire mesh. The conventional ways to compute and render surfaces are inconvenient both in terms of memory and computational time as the number of meshes will increase exponentially. An adaptive subdivision is the way to reduce the computational time and memory by subdividing only certain selected areas. In this paper, a new adaptive subdivision method for triangle meshes is introduced. This method defines a new adaptive subdivision rules by considering the properties of each triangle's neighbors and is embedded in a traditional Loop's subdivision. It prevents some undesirable side effects that appear in the conventional adaptive ways. Models that were subdivided by our method are compared with other adaptive subdivision methods
Abstract: The rheological properties, structure and potential synergistic interactions of whey proteins (1-6%) and inulin (20%) in mixed gels in the presence of CaCl2 was the aim of this study. Whey proteins have a strong influence on inulin gel formation. At low concentrations (2%) whey proteins did not impair in inulin gel formation. At higher concentration (4%) whey proteins impaired inulin gelation and inulin impaired the formation of a Ca2+-induced whey protein network. The presence of whey proteins at a level allowing for protein gel network formation (6%) significantly increased the rheological parameters values of the gels. SEM micrographs showed that whey protein structure was coated by inulin moieties which could make the mixed gels firmer. The protein surface hydrophobicity measurements did not exclude synergistic interactions between inulin and whey proteins, however. The use of an electrophoretic technique did not show any stable inulin-whey protein complexes.
Abstract: Distributed Generation (DG) in the form of renewable
power generation systems is currently preferred for clean power
generation. It has a significant impact on the distribution systems.
This impact may be either positively or negatively depending on the
distribution system, distributed generator and load characteristics. In
this works, an overview of DG is briefly introduced. The technology
of DG is also listed while the technical impacts and economic
impacts are explained.
Abstract: The present paper proposes high performance nonlinear
force controllers for a servopneumatic real-time fatigue test
machine. A CompactRIO® controller was used, being fully
programmed using LabVIEW language. Fuzzy logic control
algorithms were evaluated to tune the integral and derivative
components in the development of hybrid controllers, namely a FLC
P and a hybrid FLC PID real-time-based controllers. Their
behaviours were described by using state diagrams. The main
contribution is to ensure a smooth transition between control states,
avoiding discrete transitions in controller outputs. Steady-state errors
lower than 1.5 N were reached, without retuning the controllers.
Good results were also obtained for sinusoidal tracking tasks from
1/¤Ç to 8/¤Ç Hz.
Abstract: Actual load, material characteristics and other
quantities often differ from the design values. This can cause worse
function, shorter life or failure of a civil engineering structure, a
machine, vehicle or another appliance. The paper shows main causes
of the uncertainties and deviations and presents a systematic
approach and efficient tools for their elimination or mitigation of
consequences. Emphasis is put on the design stage, which is most
important for reliability ensuring. Principles of robust design and
important tools are explained, including FMEA, sensitivity analysis
and probabilistic simulation methods. The lifetime prediction of
long-life objects can be improved by long-term monitoring of the
load response and damage accumulation in operation. The condition
evaluation of engineering structures, such as bridges, is often based
on visual inspection and verbal description. Here, methods based on
fuzzy logic can reduce the subjective influences.
Abstract: Modern organizations operate under the pressure of
dynamic and often unpredictable changes, both in external and
internal environment. Market success, in this context, requires a
particular competence in the form of flexibility, interpreted here both
on the level of individuals and on the level of organization. This
paper addresses the changes taking place in the sphere of
employment, as observed in economic entities operating on Polish
market. Based on own empirical studies, the authors focus on the
progressing trend of ‘flexibilization’ of employment, particularly in
the context of transformations in organizational structure, designed to
facilitate the transition into management by projects and
differentiation of labor forms.
Abstract: Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has been
extensively used for classification of heart sounds for its
discriminative training ability and easy implementation. However, it
suffers from overparameterization if the number of nodes is not
chosen properly. In such cases, when the dataset has redundancy
within it, ANN is trained along with this redundant information that
results in poor validation. Also a larger network means more
computational expense resulting more hardware and time related
cost. Therefore, an optimum design of neural network is needed
towards real-time detection of pathological patterns, if any from heart
sound signal. The aims of this work are to (i) select a set of input
features that are effective for identification of heart sound signals and
(ii) make certain optimum selection of nodes in the hidden layer for a
more effective ANN structure. Here, we present an optimization
technique that involves Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and
QR factorization with column pivoting (QRcp) methodology to
optimize empirically chosen over-parameterized ANN structure.
Input nodes present in ANN structure is optimized by SVD followed
by QRcp while only SVD is required to prune undesirable hidden
nodes. The result is presented for classifying 12 common
pathological cases and normal heart sound.
Abstract: A finite element analysis (FEA) computer software HyperWorks is utilized in re-designing an automotive component to reduce its mass. Reduction of components mass contributes towards environmental sustainability by saving world-s valuable metal resources and by reducing carbon emission through improved overall vehicle fuel efficiency. A shape optimization analysis was performed on a rear spindle component. Pre-processing and solving procedures were performed using HyperMesh and RADIOSS respectively. Shape variables were defined using HyperMorph. Then optimization solver OptiStruct was utilized with fatigue life set as a design constraint. Since Stress-Number of Cycle (S-N) theory deals with uni-axial stress, the Signed von Misses stress on the component was used for looking up damage on S-N curve, and Gerber criterion for mean stress corrections. The optimization analysis resulted in mass reduction of 24% of the original mass. The study proved that the adopted approach has high potential use for environmental sustainability.
Abstract: A wireless Ad-hoc network consists of wireless nodes
communicating without the need for a centralized administration, in
which all nodes potentially contribute to the routing process.In this
paper, we report the simulation results of four different scenarios for
wireless ad hoc networks having thirty nodes. The performances of
proposed networks are evaluated in terms of number of hops per
route, delay and throughput with the help of OPNET simulator.
Channel speed 1 Mbps and simulation time 600 sim-seconds were
taken for all scenarios. For the above analysis DSR routing protocols
has been used. The throughput obtained from the above analysis
(four scenario) are compared as shown in Figure 3. The average
media access delay at node_20 for two routes and at node_20 for four
different scenario are compared as shown in Figures 4 and 5. It is
observed that the throughput will degrade when it will follow
different hops for same source to destination (i.e. it has dropped from
1.55 Mbps to 1.43 Mbps which is around 9.7%, and then dropped to
0.48Mbps which is around 35%).
Abstract: In gas lifted oil fields, the lift gas should be distributed optimally among the wells which share gas from a common source to maximize total oil production. One of the objectives of the paper is to show that a linear MPC consisting of a control objective and an economic objective can be used both as an optimizer and a controller for gas lifted systems. The MPC is based on linearized model of the oil field developed from first principles modeling. Simulation results show that the total oil production is increased by 3.4%. Difficulties in accurately measuring the bottom hole pressure using sensors in harsh operating conditions can be resolved by using an Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) for estimation. In oil fields where input disturbance (total supply of gas) is not measured, UKF can also be used for disturbance estimation. Increased total oil production due to optimization leads to increased profit.
Abstract: Glaucoma diagnosis involves extracting three features
of the fundus image; optic cup, optic disc and vernacular. Present
manual diagnosis is expensive, tedious and time consuming. A
number of researches have been conducted to automate this process.
However, the variability between the diagnostic capability of an
automated system and ophthalmologist has yet to be established. This
paper discusses the efficiency and variability between
ophthalmologist opinion and digital technique; threshold. The
efficiency and variability measures are based on image quality
grading; poor, satisfactory or good. The images are separated into
four channels; gray, red, green and blue. A scientific investigation
was conducted on three ophthalmologists who graded the images
based on the image quality. The images are threshold using multithresholding
and graded as done by the ophthalmologist. A
comparison of grade from the ophthalmologist and threshold is made.
The results show there is a small variability between result of
ophthalmologists and digital threshold.
Abstract: This paper introduced the status quo of laws and
regulations of sustainable construction in China and investigated the
existing problems of current laws and regulations through
person-interviews in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Shenzhen in
China. The problems include incomplete legal system, lack of
guidance of higher-level laws, backward in some laws and regulations,
unclear legal liability and poor law enforcement. Aimed at these
problems, this paper also put forward some improvement approaches,
such as filling the legal gap, revising laws and regulations, establishing
incentive system and keeping pace with level of development.
Abstract: In this paper we present a generic approach for the problem of the blind estimation of the parameters of linear and convolutional error correcting codes. In a non-cooperative context, an adversary has only access to the noised transmission he has intercepted. The intercepter has no knowledge about the parameters used by the legal users. So, before having acess to the information he has first to blindly estimate the parameters of the error correcting code of the communication. The presented approach has the main advantage that the problem of reconstruction of such codes can be expressed in a very simple way. This allows us to evaluate theorical bounds on the complexity of the reconstruction process but also bounds on the estimation rate. We show that some classical reconstruction techniques are optimal and also explain why some of them have theorical complexities greater than these experimentally observed.