Abstract: Design and land use are closely linked to the
energy efficiency levels for an urban area. The current city
planning practice does not involve an effective land useenergy
evaluation in its 'blueprint' urban plans. The study
proposed an appraisal method that can be embedded in GIS
programs using five planning criteria as how far a planner can
give away from the planning principles (criteria) for the most
energy output s/he can obtain. The case of Balcova, a district
in the Izmir Metropolitan area, is used conformingly for
evaluating the proposed master plan and the geothermal
energy (heating only) use for the concern district.
If the land use design were proposed accordingly at-most
energy efficiency (a 30% obtained), mainly increasing the
density around the geothermal wells and also proposing more
mixed use zones, we could have 17% distortion (infidelity to
the main planning principles) from the original plan. The
proposed method can be an effective tool for planners as
simulation media, of which calculations can be made by GIS
ready tools, to evaluate efficiency levels for different plan
proposals, letting to know how much energy saving causes
how much deviation from the other planning ideals. Lower
energy uses can be possible for different land use proposals
for various policy trials.
Abstract: This study aims to clarify constructions which enable to improve socio-cultural values of environments and also to obtain new knowledge on selecting development plans. CVM is adopted as a method of evaluation. As a case of the research, university campus (CP; the following) is selected on account of its various environments, institutions and many users. Investigations were conducted from 4 points of view, total value and utility value of whole CP environments, values of each environment existing in CP or development plan assumed in CP. Furthermore, respondents- attributes were also investigated. In consequence, the following is obtained. 1) Almost all of total value of CP is composed of utility value of direct use. 2) Each of environment and development plans whose value is the highest is clarified. 3) Moreover, development plan to improve environmental value the most is specified.
Abstract: Recently, lots of researchers are attracted to retrieving
multimedia database by using some impression words and their values.
Ikezoe-s research is one of the representatives and uses eight pairs of
opposite impression words. We had modified its retrieval interface and
proposed '2D-RIB'. In '2D-RIB', after a retrieval person selects a
single basic music, the system visually shows some other music
around the basic one along relative position. He/she can select one of
them fitting to his/her intention, as a retrieval result. The purpose of
this paper is to improve his/her satisfaction level to the retrieval result
in 2D-RIB. One of our extensions is to define and introduce the
following two measures: 'melody goodness' and 'general acceptance'.
We implement them in different five combinations. According to an
evaluation experiment, both of these two measures can contribute to
the improvement. Another extension is three types of customization.
We have implemented them and clarified which customization is
effective.
Abstract: Many foreign and Lithuanian scientists, analyzing the
evaluation of the tax system in respect of the burden of taxation,
agree that the latter, in principle, depends on how many individuals
and what units of the residents constitute a household. Therefore, the
aim of scientific research is to substantiate or to deny the significance
of a household, but not a resident, as a statistical unit, during the
evaluation of tax system, to be precise, determination of the value of
the burden of taxation. A performed scientific research revealed that
evaluation of the tax system in respect of a household, but not a
resident, as a statistical unit, allows not only to evaluate the
efficiency of the tax system more objectively, but also to forecast
practicably existing poverty line, burden of taxation, and to
capacitate the initiation of efficient decisions in social and tax fields
creating the environment of existence.
Abstract: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is now being widely used as a preferred choice for various types of operations. The need to detect various tactile properties, justifies the key role of tactile sensing that is currently missing in MIS. In this regard, Laparoscopy is one of the methods of minimally invasive surgery that can be used in kidney stone removal surgeries. At this moment, determination of the exact location of stone during laparoscopy is one of the limitations of this method that no scientific solution has been found for so far. Artificial tactile sensing is a new method for obtaining the characteristics of a hard object embedded in a soft tissue. Artificial palpation is an important application of artificial tactile sensing that can be used in different types of surgeries. In this study, a new method for determining the exact location of stone during laparoscopy is presented. In the present study, the effects of stone existence on the surface of kidney were investigated using conceptual 3D model of kidney containing a simulated stone. Having imitated palpation and modeled it conceptually, indications of stone existence that appear on the surface of kidney were determined. A number of different cases were created and solved by the software and using stress distribution contours and stress graphs, it is illustrated that the created stress patterns on the surface of kidney show not only the existence of stone inside, but also its exact location. So three-dimensional analysis leads to a novel method of predicting the exact location of stone and can be directly applied to the incorporation of tactile sensing in artificial palpation, helping surgeons in non-invasive procedures.
Abstract: This study deals with evaluation of influence of salinity (NaCl) onto equilibrium of Cu and Ni removal from aqueous solutions by natural sorbent – zeolite. Equilibrium data were obtained by batch experiments. The salinity of the aqueous solution was influenced by dissolving NaCl in distilled water. It was studied in the range of NaCl concentrations from 1 g.l-1 to 100g.l-1. For Cu sorption there is a significant influence of salinity. The maximum capacity of zeolite for Cu was decreasing with growing concentration of NaCl. For Ni sorption there is not so significant influence of salinity as for Cu. The maximum capacity of zeolite for Ni was slightly decreasing with growing concentration of NaCl.
Abstract: The approach of subset selection in polynomial
regression model building assumes that the chosen fixed full set of
predefined basis functions contains a subset that is sufficient to
describe the target relation sufficiently well. However, in most cases
the necessary set of basis functions is not known and needs to be
guessed – a potentially non-trivial (and long) trial and error process.
In our research we consider a potentially more efficient approach –
Adaptive Basis Function Construction (ABFC). It lets the model
building method itself construct the basis functions necessary for
creating a model of arbitrary complexity with adequate predictive
performance. However, there are two issues that to some extent
plague the methods of both the subset selection and the ABFC,
especially when working with relatively small data samples: the
selection bias and the selection instability. We try to correct these
issues by model post-evaluation using Cross-Validation and model
ensembling. To evaluate the proposed method, we empirically
compare it to ABFC methods without ensembling, to a widely used
method of subset selection, as well as to some other well-known
regression modeling methods, using publicly available data sets.
Abstract: In order to evaluation the effects of soil organic
matter and biofertilizer on chickpea quality and biological
nitrogen fixation, field experiments were carried out in 2007
and 2008 growing seasons. In this research the effects of
different strategies for soil fertilization were investigated on
grain yield and yield component, minerals, organic compounds
and cooking time of chickpea. Experimental units were
arranged in split-split plots based on randomized complete
blocks with three replications. Main plots consisted of (G1):
establishing a mixed vegetation of Vicia panunica and
Hordeum vulgare and (G2): control, as green manure levels.
Also, five strategies for obtaining the base fertilizer
requirement including (N1): 20 t.ha-1 farmyard manure; (N2):
10 t.ha-1 compost; (N3): 75 kg.ha-1 triple super phosphate;
(N4): 10 t.ha-1 farmyard manure + 5 t.ha-1 compost and (N5):
10 t.ha-1 farmyard manure + 5 t.ha-1 compost + 50 kg.ha-1
triple super phosphate were considered in sub plots.
Furthermoree four levels of biofertilizers consisted of (B1):
Bacillus lentus + Pseudomonas putida; (B2): Trichoderma
harzianum; (B3): Bacillus lentus + Pseudomonas putida +
Trichoderma harzianum; and (B4): control (without
biofertilizers) were arranged in sub-sub plots. Results showed
that integrating biofertilizers (B3) and green manure (G1)
produced the highest grain yield. The highest amounts of yield
were obtained in G1×N5 interaction. Comparison of all 2-way
and 3-way interactions showed that G1N5B3 was determined
as the superior treatment. Significant increasing of N, P2O5,
K2O, Fe and Mg content in leaves and grains emphasized on
superiority of mentioned treatment because each one of these
nutrients has an approved role in chlorophyll synthesis and
photosynthesis abilities of the crops. The combined application
of compost, farmyard manure and chemical phosphorus (N5)
in addition to having the highest yield, had the best grain
quality due to high protein, starch and total sugar contents, low
crude fiber and reduced cooking time.
Abstract: Selection of the best possible set of suppliers has a
significant impact on the overall profitability and success of any
business. For this reason, it is usually necessary to optimize all
business processes and to make use of cost-effective alternatives for
additional savings. This paper proposes a new efficient context-aware
supplier selection model that takes into account possible changes of
the environment while significantly reducing selection costs. The
proposed model is based on data clustering techniques while
inspiring certain principles of online algorithms for an optimally
selection of suppliers. Unlike common selection models which re-run
the selection algorithm from the scratch-line for any decision-making
sub-period on the whole environment, our model considers the
changes only and superimposes it to the previously defined best set
of suppliers to obtain a new best set of suppliers. Therefore, any recomputation
of unchanged elements of the environment is avoided
and selection costs are consequently reduced significantly. A
numerical evaluation confirms applicability of this model and proves
that it is a more optimal solution compared with common static
selection models in this field.
Abstract: Evaluation and survey of curriculum quality as one of the most important components of universities system is necessary for different levels in higher education. The main purpose of this study was to survey of the curriculum quality of Actuarial science field. Case: University of SHahid Beheshti and Higher education institute of Eco insurance (according to viewpoint of students, alumni, employers and faculty members). Descriptive statistics (mean, tables, percentage, and frequency distribution) and inferential statistics (CHI SQUARE) were used to analyze the data. Six criteria considered for the Quality of curriculum: objectives, content, teaching and learning methods, space and facilities, Time, assessment of learning. Content, teaching and learning methods, space and facilities, assessment of learning criteria were relatively desirable level, objectives and time criterions were desirable level. The quality of curriculum of Actuarial Science field was relatively desirable level.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify ideal urban
design elements of waterfronts and to analyze the differences in users-
cognition among these elements. This study follows three steps as
following: first is identifying the urban design elements of waterfronts
from literature review and second is evaluating intended users-
cognition of urban design elements in urban waterfronts. Lastly, third
is analyzing the users- cognition differences. As the result, evaluations
of waterfront areas by users show similar features that non-waterfront
urban design elements contain the highest degree of importance. This
indicates the difference of users- cognition has dimensions of
frequency and distance, and demonstrates differences in the aspect of
importance than of satisfaction. Multi-Dimensional Scaling Method
verifies differences among their cognition. This study provides
elements to increase satisfaction of users from differences of their
cognition on design elements for waterfronts. It also suggests
implications on elements when waterfronts are built.
Abstract: The common bean is the most important grain legume for direct human consumption in the world and BCMV is one of the world's most serious bean diseases that can reduce yield and quality of harvested product. To determine the best tolerance index to BCMV and recognize tolerant genotypes, 2 experiments were conducted in field conditions. Twenty five common bean genotypes were sown in 2 separate RCB design with 3 replications under contamination and non-contamination conditions. On the basis of the results of indices correlations GMP, MP and HARM were determined as the most suitable tolerance indices. The results of principle components analysis indicated 2 first components totally explained 98.52% of variations among data. The first and second components were named potential yield and stress susceptible respectively. Based on the results of BCMV tolerance indices assessment and biplot analysis WA8563-4, WA8563-2 and Cardinal were the genotypes that exhibited potential seed yield under contamination and noncontamination conditions.
Abstract: A new chelating resin is prepared by coupling Amberlite XAD-4 with 1-amino-2-naphthole through an azo spacer. The resulting sorbent has been characterized by FT-IR, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and studied for preconcentrating of Fe (II) using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for metal monitoring. The optimum pH value for sorption of the iron ions was 6.5. The resin was subjected to evaluation through batch binding of mentioned metal ion. Quantitative desorption occurs instantaneously with 0.5 M HNO3. The sorption capacity was found 4.1 mmol.g-1 of resin for Fe (II) in the aqueous solution. The chelating resin can be reused for 10 cycles of sorption-desorption without any significant change in sorption capacity. A recovery of 97% was obtained the metal ions with 0.5 M HNO3 as eluting agent. The method was applied for metal ions determination from industrial waste water sample.
Abstract: Text-based game is supposed to be a low resource
consumption application that delivers good performances when
compared to graphical-intensive type of games. But, nowadays, some
of the online text-based games are not offering performances that are
acceptable to the users. Therefore, an online text-based game called
Star_Quest has been developed in order to analyze its behavior under
different performance measurements. Performance metrics such as
throughput, scalability, response time and page loading time are
captured to yield the performance of the game. The techniques in
performing the load testing are also disclosed to exhibit the viability
of our work. The comparative assessment between the results
obtained and the accepted level of performances are conducted as to
determine the performance level of the game. The study reveals that
the developed game managed to meet all the performance objectives
set forth.
Abstract: Many recent high energy physics calculations
involving charm and beauty invoke wave function at the origin
(WFO) for the meson bound state. Uncertainties of charm and beauty
quark masses and different models for potentials governing these
bound states require a simple numerical algorithm for evaluation of
the WFO's for these bound states. We present a simple algorithm for
this propose which provides WFO's with high precision compared
with similar ones already obtained in the literature.
Abstract: Sputum smear conversion after one month of antituberculosis
therapy in new smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis
patients (PTB+) is a vital indicator towards treatment success. The
objective of this study is to determine the rate of sputum smear
conversion in new PTB+ patients after one month under treatment of
National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital (NIDCH).
Analysis of sputum smear conversion was done by re-clinical
examination with sputum smear microscopic test after one month.
Socio-demographic and hematological parameters were evaluated to
perceive the correlation with the disease status. Among all enrolled
patients only 33.33% were available for follow up diagnosis and of
them only 42.86% patients turned to smear negative. Probably this
consequence is due to non-coherence to the proper disease
management. 66.67% and 78.78% patients reported low haemoglobin
and packed cell volume level respectively whereas 80% and 93.33%
patients accounted accelerated platelet count and erythrocyte
sedimentation rate correspondingly.
Abstract: Evolutionary Algorithms are population-based,
stochastic search techniques, widely used as efficient global
optimizers. However, many real life optimization problems often
require finding optimal solution to complex high dimensional,
multimodal problems involving computationally very expensive
fitness function evaluations. Use of evolutionary algorithms in such
problem domains is thus practically prohibitive. An attractive
alternative is to build meta models or use an approximation of the
actual fitness functions to be evaluated. These meta models are order
of magnitude cheaper to evaluate compared to the actual function
evaluation. Many regression and interpolation tools are available to
build such meta models. This paper briefly discusses the
architectures and use of such meta-modeling tools in an evolutionary
optimization context. We further present two evolutionary algorithm
frameworks which involve use of meta models for fitness function
evaluation. The first framework, namely the Dynamic Approximate
Fitness based Hybrid EA (DAFHEA) model [14] reduces
computation time by controlled use of meta-models (in this case
approximate model generated by Support Vector Machine
regression) to partially replace the actual function evaluation by
approximate function evaluation. However, the underlying
assumption in DAFHEA is that the training samples for the metamodel
are generated from a single uniform model. This does not take
into account uncertain scenarios involving noisy fitness functions.
The second model, DAFHEA-II, an enhanced version of the original
DAFHEA framework, incorporates a multiple-model based learning
approach for the support vector machine approximator to handle
noisy functions [15]. Empirical results obtained by evaluating the
frameworks using several benchmark functions demonstrate their
efficiency
Abstract: Quality control charts indicate out of control
conditions if any nonrandom pattern of the points is observed or any
point is plotted beyond the control limits. Nonrandom patterns of
Shewhart control charts are tested with sensitizing rules. When the
processes are defined with fuzzy set theory, traditional sensitizing
rules are insufficient for defining all out of control conditions. This is
due to the fact that fuzzy numbers increase the number of out of
control conditions. The purpose of the study is to develop a set of
fuzzy sensitizing rules, which increase the flexibility and sensitivity
of fuzzy control charts. Fuzzy sensitizing rules simplify the
identification of out of control situations that results in a decrease in
the calculation time and number of evaluations in fuzzy control chart
approach.
Abstract: Heat powered solid sorption is a feasible alternative to
electrical vapor compression refrigeration systems. In this paper,
activated carbon (powder type Maxsorb and fiber type ACF-A10)-
CO2 based adsorption cooling cycles are studied using the pressuretemperature-
concentration (P-T-W) diagram. The specific cooling
effect (SCE) and the coefficient of performance (COP) of these two
cooling systems are simulated for the driving heat source
temperatures ranging from 30 ºC to 90 ºC in terms of different
cooling load temperatures with a cooling source temperature of 25
ºC. It is found from the present analysis that Maxsorb-CO2 couple
shows higher cooling capacity and COP. The maximum COPs of
Maxsorb-CO2 and ACF(A10)-CO2 based cooling systems are found
to be 0.15 and 0.083, respectively. The main innovative feature of
this cooling cycle is the ability to utilize low temperature waste heat
or solar energy using CO2 as the refrigerant, which is one of the best
alternative for applications where flammability and toxicity are not
allowed.
Abstract: This paper evaluates performances of an adaptive noise
cancelling (ANC) based target detection algorithm on a set of real test
data supported by the Defense Evaluation Research Agency (DERA
UK) for multi-target wideband active sonar echolocation system. The
hybrid algorithm proposed is a combination of an adaptive ANC
neuro-fuzzy scheme in the first instance and followed by an iterative
optimum target motion estimation (TME) scheme. The neuro-fuzzy
scheme is based on the adaptive noise cancelling concept with the
core processor of ANFIS (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system) to
provide an effective fine tuned signal. The resultant output is then
sent as an input to the optimum TME scheme composed of twogauge
trimmed-mean (TM) levelization, discrete wavelet denoising
(WDeN), and optimal continuous wavelet transform (CWT) for
further denosing and targets identification. Its aim is to recover the
contact signals in an effective and efficient manner and then determine
the Doppler motion (radial range, velocity and acceleration) at very
low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Quantitative results have shown that
the hybrid algorithm have excellent performance in predicting targets-
Doppler motion within various target strength with the maximum
false detection of 1.5%.