Abstract: A linear feedback shift register (LFSR) is proposed which targets to reduce the power consumption from within. It reduces the power consumption during testing of a Circuit Under Test (CUT) at two stages. At first stage,
Control Logic (CL) makes the clocks of the switching units
of the register inactive for a time period when output from
them is going to be same as previous one and thus reducing
unnecessary switching of the flip-flops. And at second stage,
the LFSR reorders the test vectors by interchanging the bit
with its next and closest neighbor bit. It keeps fault coverage
capacity of the vectors unchanged but reduces the Total Hamming Distance (THD) so that there is reduction in power
while shifting operation.
Abstract: The steam cracking reactions are always accompanied with the formation of coke which deposits on the walls of the tubular reactors. The investigation has attempted to control catalytic coking by the applying aluminum, zinc and ceramic coating like aluminum-magnesium by thermal spray and pack cementation method. Rate of coke formation during steam cracking of naphtha has been investigated both for uncoated stainless steel (with different alloys) and metal coating constructed with thermal Spray and pack cementation method with metal powders of Aluminum, Aluminum-Magnesium, zinc, silicon, nickel and chromium. The results of the study show that passivating the surface of SS321 with a coating of Aluminum and Aluminum-Magnesium can significantly reduce the rate of coke deposition during naphtha pyrolysis. SEM and EDAX techniques (Philips XL Series) were used to examine the coke deposits formed by the metal-hydrocarbon reactions. Our objective was to separate the different stages by identifying the characteristic morphologies.
Abstract: The connection between solar activity and adverse phenomena in the Earth’s environment that can affect space and ground based technologies has spurred interest in Space Weather (SW) research. A great effort has been put on the development of suitable models that can provide advanced forecast of SW events. With the progress in computational technology, it is becoming possible to develop operational large scale physics based models which can incorporate the most important physical processes and domains of the Sun-Earth system. In order to enhance our SW prediction capabilities we are developing advanced numerical tools. With operational requirements in mind, our goal is to develop a modular simulation framework of propagation of the disturbances from the Sun through interplanetary space to the Earth. Here, we report and discuss on the development of coronal field and solar wind components for a large scale MHD code. The model for these components is based on a potential field source surface model and an empirical Wang-Sheeley-Arge solar wind relation.
Abstract: An application framework provides a reusable design
and implementation for a family of software systems. Frameworks
are introduced to reduce the cost of a product line (i.e., a family of
products that shares the common features). Software testing is a timeconsuming
and costly ongoing activity during the application
software development process. Generating reusable test cases for the
framework applications during the framework development stage,
and providing and using the test cases to test part of the framework
application whenever the framework is used reduces the application
development time and cost considerably. This paper introduces the
Framework Interface State Transition Tester (FIST2), a tool for
automated unit testing of Java framework applications. During the
framework development stage, given the formal descriptions of the
framework hooks, the specifications of the methods of the
framework-s extensible classes, and the illegal behavior description
of the Framework Interface Classes (FICs), FIST2 generates unitlevel
test cases for the classes. At the framework application
development stage, given the customized method specifications of
the implemented FICs, FIST2 automates the use, execution, and
evaluation of the already generated test cases to test the implemented
FICs. The paper illustrates the use of the FIST2 tool for testing
several applications that use the SalesPoint framework.
Abstract: Fast development of technologies, economic globalization and many other external circumstances stimulate company’s competitiveness. One of the major trends in today’s business is the shift to the exploitation of the Internet and electronic environment for entrepreneurial needs. Latest researches confirm that e-environment provides a range of possibilities and opportunities for companies, especially for micro-, small- and medium-sized companies, which have limited resources. The usage of e-tools raises the effectiveness and the profitability of an organization, as well as its competitiveness.
In the electronic market, as in the classic one, there are factors, such as globalization, development of new technology, price sensitive consumers, Internet, new distribution and communication channels that influence entrepreneurship. As a result of eenvironment development, e-commerce and e-marketing grow as well.
Objective of the paper: To describe and identify factors influencing company’s competitiveness in e-environment.
Research methodology: The authors employ well-established quantitative and qualitative methods of research: grouping, analysis, statistics method, factor analysis in SPSS 20 environment, etc. The theoretical and methodological background of the research is formed by using scientific researches and publications, such as that from mass media and professional literature; statistical information from legal institutions as well as information collected by the authors during the surveying process.
Research result: The authors detected and classified factors influencing competitiveness in e-environment.
In this paper, the authors presented their findings based on theoretical, scientific, and field research. Authors have conducted a research on e-environment utilization among Latvian enterprises.
Abstract: This paper argues that increased uncertainty, in certain
situations, may actually encourage investment. Since earlier studies
mostly base their arguments on the assumption of geometric Brownian
motion, the study extends the assumption to alternative stochastic
processes, such as mixed diffusion-jump, mean-reverting process, and
jump amplitude process. A general approach of Monte Carlo
simulation is developed to derive optimal investment trigger for the
situation that the closed-form solution could not be readily obtained
under the assumption of alternative process. The main finding is that
the overall effect of uncertainty on investment is interpreted by the
probability of investing, and the relationship appears to be an invested
U-shaped curve between uncertainty and investment. The implication
is that uncertainty does not always discourage investment even under
several sources of uncertainty. Furthermore, high-risk projects are not
always dominated by low-risk projects because the high-risk projects
may have a positive realization effect on encouraging investment.
Abstract: This paper attempts to discuss the evolution of the
retrieval techniques focusing on development, challenges and trends
of the image retrieval. It highlights both the already addressed and
outstanding issues. The explosive growth of image data leads to the
need of research and development of Image Retrieval. However,
Image retrieval researches are moving from keyword, to low level
features and to semantic features. Drive towards semantic features is
due to the problem of the keywords which can be very subjective and
time consuming while low level features cannot always describe high
level concepts in the users- mind.
Abstract: Rotational Smart Lighting Control System can supply
the quantity of lighting which is required to run plants by rotating few
LED and Fluorescent instead of that are used in the existing plant
factories.The initial installation of the existing plants factory is
expensive, so in order to solve the problem with smart lighting control
system was developed.
The beam required intensity for the growth of crops, Photosynthetic
Photon Flux Density(PPFD)is calculated; and the number of LED, are
installed on the blades, set; using the Lighting Simulation
Program.Relux, it is able to confirm that the difference of the beam
intensity between the center and the outer of lighting system when the
lighting device is rotating.
Abstract: This paper introduces a high-gain observer based state of charge(SOC) estimator for lithium-Ion batteries. The proposed SOC estimator has a high-gain observer(HGO) structure. The HGO scheme enhances the transient response speed and diminishes the effect of uncertainties. Furthermore, it guarantees that the output feedback controller recovers the performance of the state feedback controller when the observer gain is sufficiently high. In order to show the effectiveness of the proposed method, the linear RC battery model in ADVISOR is used. The performance of the proposed method is compared with that of the conventional linear observer(CLO) and some simulation result is given.
Abstract: In this paper, an analytical approach for free vibration
analysis of rectangular and circular membranes is presented. The
method is based on wave approach. From wave standpoint vibration
propagate, reflect and transmit in a structure. Firstly, the propagation
and reflection matrices for rectangular and circular membranes are
derived. Then, these matrices are combined to provide a concise and
systematic approach to free vibration analysis of membranes.
Subsequently, the eigenvalue problem for free vibration of membrane
is formulated and the equation of membrane natural frequencies is
constructed. Finally, the effectiveness of the approach is shown by
comparison of the results with existing classical solution.
Abstract: There has been a growing emphasis in
communication management from simple coordination of
promotional tools to a complex strategic process. This study will
examine the current marketing communications and engagement
strategies used in addressing the key stakeholders. In the case of
fertilizer industry in Malaysia, there has been little empirical
research on stakeholder communication when major challenges
facing the modern corporation is the need to communicate its
identity, its values and products in order to distinguish itself from
competitors. The study will employ both quantitative and qualitative
methods and the use of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to
establish a causal relationship amongst the key factors of stakeholder
communication strategies and increment in consumers-
choice/acceptance and impact on financial performance. One of the
major contributions is a conceptual framework for communication
strategies and engagement in increasing consumers- acceptance level
and the firm-s financial performance.
Abstract: This study aims to examine the factors affecting
knowledge sharing behavior in knowledge-based electronic communities (e-communities) because quantity and quality of
knowledge shared among the members play a critical role in the community-s sustainability. Past research has suggested three
perspectives that may affect the quantity and quality of knowledge
shared: economics, social psychology, and social ecology. In this
study, we strongly believe that an economic perspective may be suitable to validate factors influencing newly registered members-
knowledge contribution at the beginning of relationship development.
Accordingly, this study proposes a model to validate the factors influencing members- knowledge sharing based on Transaction Cost
Theory. By doing so, we may empirically test our hypotheses in various types of e-communities to determine the generalizability of our research models.
Abstract: This paper presents an architecture of current filesystem
implementations as well as our new filesystem SpadFS and operating
system Spad with rewritten VFS layer targeted at high performance
I/O applications. The paper presents microbenchmarks and real-world
benchmarks of different filesystems on the same kernel as well as
benchmarks of the same filesystem on different kernels – enabling
the reader to make conclusion how much is the performance of
various tasks affected by operating system and how much by physical
layout of data on disk. The paper describes our novel features–most
notably continuous allocation of directories and cross-file readahead
– and shows their impact on performance.
Abstract: Although water only takes a little percentage in the total mass of soil, it indeed plays an important role to the strength of structure. Moisture transfer can be carried out by many different mechanisms which may involve heat and mass transfer, thermodynamic phase change, and the interplay of various forces such as viscous, buoyancy, and capillary forces. The continuum models are not well suited for describing those phenomena in which the connectivity of the pore space or the fracture network, or that of a fluid phase, plays a major role. However, Lattice Boltzmann methods (LBMs) are especially well suited to simulate flows around complex geometries. Lattice Boltzmann methods were initially invented for solving fluid flows. Recently, fluid with multicomponent and phase change is also included in the equations. By comparing the numerical result with experimental result, the Lattice Boltzmann methods with phase change will be optimized.
Abstract: The objective of the present study was to examine the
dose-response relationships between antioxidant parameters and liver
contaminant levels of Kazakhstan light crude oil (KLCO) in albino
rats. The animals were repeatedly exposed, by intraperitoneal
injection, to low dosages (0.5–1.5 ml/kg) of KLCO. Rats exposed to
these doses levels did not show any apparent symptoms of
intoxication. Serum aminotransferases increased significantly
(p
Abstract: In this paper we evaluated the efficacy of
photodynamic treatment of infected wounds on pig animal model by
diffuse reflectance spectrometry. The study was conducted on fifteen
wounds contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that were
incubated for 30 min with methylene blue solution (c = 3.3 x 10-3 M)
and exposed to laser radiations (λ = 670 nm, P = 15 mW) for 15 min.
The efficiency of photodynamic inactivation of bacteria was
evaluated by microbiological exams and diffuse reflectance
spectrometry. The results of the microbiological exams showed that
the bacterial concentration has decreased from 6.93±0.138
logCFU/ml to 3.12±0.108 logCFU/ml. The spectral examination
showed that the diffuse reflectance of wounds contaminated with
Staphylococcus aureus has decreased from 5.06±0.036 % to
3.36±0.025 %. In conclusion, photodynamic therapy is an effective
method for the treatment of infected wounds and there is a correlation
between the CFU count and diffuse reflectance.
Abstract: The growing importance of sustainability in corporate
policies represents a great opportunity for workers to gain more
consideration, with great benefits to their well being. Sustainable
work is believed to be one which improves the organization-s
performance and fosters professional development as well as
workers- health. In a multiple case study based on document
research, information was sought about work activities and their
sustainability or corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies, as
disseminated by corporations. All the companies devoted attention to
work activities and delivered a good amount of information about
them. Nevertheless, the information presented was generic; all the
actions developed were top-down and there was no information about
the impact of changes aimed at sustainability on the workers-
activities. It was found that the companies seemed to be at an early
stage. In the future, they need to show more commitment through
concrete goals: they must be aware that workers contribute directly to
the corporations- sustainability. This would allow room for
Ergonomics and Work Psychodynamics to be incorporated and to be
useful for both companies and society, so as to promote and ensure
work sustainability.
Abstract: The aim of the work presented here was to either use
existing forest dynamic simulation models or calibrate a new one
both within the SYMFOR framework with the purpose of examining
changes in stand level basal area and functional composition in
response to selective logging considering trees > 10 cm d.b.h for two
areas of undisturbed Amazonian non flooded tropical forest in Brazil
and one in Peru. Model biological realism was evaluated for forest in
the undisturbed and selectively logged state and it was concluded that
forest dynamics were realistically represented. Results of the logging
simulation experiments showed that in relation to undisturbed forest
simulation subject to no form of harvesting intervention there was a
significant amount of change over a 90 year simulation period that
was positively proportional to the intensity of logging. Areas which
had in the dynamic equilibrium of undisturbed forest a greater
proportion of a specific ecological guild of trees known as the light
hardwoods (LHW’s) seemed to respond more favorably in terms of
less deviation but only within a specific range of baseline forest
composition beyond which compositional diversity became more
important. These finds are in line partially with practical management
experience and partiality basic systematics theory respectively.
Abstract: In the following text, we show that by introducing
universal kinetic scheme, the origin of rate retardation and inhibition
period which observed in dithiobenzoate-mediated RAFT
polymerization can be described properly. We develop our model by
utilizing the method of moments, then we apply our model to
different monomer/RAFT agent systems, both homo- and
copolymerization. The modeling results are in an excellent
agreement with experiments and imply the validity of universal
kinetic scheme, not only for dithiobenzoate-mediated systems, but
also for different types of monomer/RAFT agent ones.
Abstract: This paper describes topology of business models in market ecosystem of the emerging electric mobility industry. The business model topology shows that firm-s participation in the ecosystem is associated with different requirements on resources and capabilities, and different levels of risk. Business model concept is used together with concepts of networked value creation and shows that firms can achieve higher levels of sustainable advantage by cooperation, not competition. Hybrid business models provide companies a viable alternative possibility for participation in the market ecosystem.