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: In this study, a software has been developed to predict
the optimum conditions for drying of cotton based yarn bobbins in a
hot air dryer. For this purpose, firstly, a suitable drying model has
been specified using experimental drying behavior for different
values of drying parameters. Drying parameters in the experiments
were drying temperature, drying pressure, and volumetric flow rate of
drying air. After obtaining a suitable drying model, additional curve
fittings have been performed to obtain equations for drying time and
energy consumption taking into account the effects of drying
parameters. Then, a software has been developed using Visual Basic
programming language to predict the optimum drying conditions for
drying time and energy consumption.
Abstract: Integration of system process information obtained
through an image processing system with an evolving knowledge
database to improve the accuracy and predictability of wear particle
analysis is the main focus of the paper. The objective is to automate
intelligently the analysis process of wear particle using classification
via self organizing maps. This is achieved using relationship
measurements among corresponding attributes of various
measurements for wear particle. Finally, visualization technique is
proposed that helps the viewer in understanding and utilizing these
relationships that enable accurate diagnostics.
Abstract: Integration of system process information obtained
through an image processing system with an evolving knowledge
database to improve the accuracy and predictability of wear debris
analysis is the main focus of the paper. The objective is to automate
intelligently the analysis process of wear particle using classification
via self-organizing maps. This is achieved using relationship
measurements among corresponding attributes of various
measurements for wear debris. Finally, visualization technique is
proposed that helps the viewer in understanding and utilizing these
relationships that enable accurate diagnostics.
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, a modified CCCII is presented. We have used a current mirror with low supply voltage. This circuit is operated at low supply voltage of ±1V. Tspice simulations for TSMC 0.18μm CMOS Technology has shown that the current and voltage bandwidth are respectively 3.34GHz and 4.37GHz, and parasitic resistance at port X has a value of 169.320 for a control current of 120μA. In order to realize this circuit, we have implemented in this first step a universal current mode filter where the frequency can reach the 134.58MHz. In the second step, we have implemented two simulated inductors: one floating and the other grounded. These two inductors are operated in high frequency and variable depending on bias current I0. Finally, we have used the two last inductors respectively to implement two sinusoidal oscillators domains of frequencies respectively: [470MHz, 692MHz], and [358MHz, 572MHz] for bias currents I0 [80μA, 350μA].
Abstract: In the paper, the results of sensitivity analysis of the influence of initial imperfections on the web stress state of a thinwalled girder are presented. The results of the study corroborate a very good and effective agreement of experiments with theory. Most input random quantities were found experimentally. The change of sensitivity coefficients in dependence on working load value is analysed. The stress was analysed by means of a geometrically and materially non-linear solution by applying the program ANSYS. This research study offers important background for theoretical studies of stability problems, post-critical effects and limit states of thin-walled steel structures.
Abstract: In this paper a non-parametric statistical pattern recognition algorithm for the problem of credit scoring will be presented. The proposed algorithm is based on a clustering k- means algorithm and allows for the determination of subclasses of homogenous elements in the data. The algorithm will be tested on two benchmark datasets and its performance compared with other well known pattern recognition algorithm for credit scoring.
Abstract: Despite the fact that B2c eCommerce has become
important in numerous economies, its adoption varies from country to
country. This paper aims to identify the factors affecting (enabling or
inhibiting) B2c eCommerce and to determine their quantitative
impact on the diffusion of online sales across countries. A dynamic
panel model analyzing the relationship between 13 factors
(Macroeconomic, Demographic, Socio-Cultural, Infrastructural and
Offer related) stemming from a complete literature analysis and the
B2c eCommerce value in 45 countries over 9 years has been
developed. Having a positive correlation coefficient, GDP, mobile
penetration, Internet user penetration and credit card penetration
resulted as enabling drivers of the B2c eCommerce value across
countries, whereas, having a negative correlation coefficient,equal
distribution of income and the development of traditional retailing
network act as inhibiting factors.
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.
Abstract: The conceptually construction of axially chiral indolostilbenesi.eN-(2-{(E)-2-[2'-(1-Acetyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-3'chloro-4,4',6,6'-tetramethoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-2yl]ethenyl}phenyl)acetamide and N-(2-{(E)-2-[2'-(1-Acetyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-3'-chloro-2,4',6,6'-tetramethoxy[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl]ethenyl}phenyl) acetamide are described in this paper. These structure, were obtained by the tactical combination of palladium-catalyzed coupling which produced 10-acetamido-3,5-dimethoxystilbene, follow by FeCl3-induced oxidative cyclization/dimerisation. All structures were unambiguously confirmed by 1D (1H, 13C) and 2D NMR experiment, (COSY, HMQC, HMBC) and mass spectrometry.
Abstract: This paper explores how Critical Systems Thinking and Action Research can be used to improve student performance in Networking. When describing a system from a systems thinking perspective, the following aspects can be identified: the total system performance, the systems environment, the resources, the components and the management of the system. Following the history of system thinking we observe three emerged methodologies namely, hard systems, soft systems, and critical systems. This paper uses Critical Systems Thinking (CST) which describes systems in terms of contradictions and conflict. It demonstrates how CST can be used in an Action Research (AR) project to improve the performance of students. Intervention in terms of student assessment is discussed and the impact of the intervention is discussed.
Abstract: The development of competences and practical
capacities of students is getting an important incidence into the
guidelines of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The
methodology applied in this work is based on the education through
directed resolution of practical cases. All cases are related to
professional tasks that the students will have to develop in their
future career. The method is intended to form the necessary
competences of students of the Marine Engineering and Maritime
Transport Degree in the matter of “Physics".
The experience was applied in the course of 2011/2012. Students
were grouped, and a practical task was assigned to them, that should
be developed and solved within the team. The aim was to realize
students learning by three ways: their own knowledge, the
contribution of their teammates and the teacher's direction. The
results of the evaluation were compared with those obtained
previously by the traditional teaching method.
Abstract: Although lots of experiments have been done in enhanced oil recovery, the number of experiments which consider the effects of local and global heterogeneity on efficiency of enhanced oil recovery based on the polymer-surfactant flooding is low and rarely done. In this research, we have done numerous experiments of water flooding and polymer-surfactant flooding on a five spot glass micromodel in different conditions such as different positions of layers. In these experiments, five different micromodels with three different pore structures are designed. Three models with different layer orientation, one homogenous model and one heterogeneous model are designed. In order to import the effect of heterogeneity of porous media, three types of pore structures are distributed accidentally and with equal ratio throughout heterogeneous micromodel network according to random normal distribution. The results show that maximum EOR recovery factor will happen in a situation where the layers are orthogonal to the path of mainstream and the minimum EOR recovery factor will happen in a situation where the model is heterogeneous. This experiments show that in polymer-surfactant flooding, with increase of angles of layers the EOR recovery factor will increase and this recovery factor is strongly affected by local heterogeneity around the injection zone.
Abstract: In this paper we present an efficient system for
independent speaker speech recognition based on neural network
approach. The proposed architecture comprises two phases: a
preprocessing phase which consists in segmental normalization and
features extraction and a classification phase which uses neural
networks based on nonparametric density estimation namely the
general regression neural network (GRNN). The relative
performances of the proposed model are compared to the similar
recognition systems based on the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), the
Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) and the well known Discrete
Hidden Markov Model (HMM-VQ) that we have achieved also.
Experimental results obtained with Arabic digits have shown that the
use of nonparametric density estimation with an appropriate
smoothing factor (spread) improves the generalization power of the
neural network. The word error rate (WER) is reduced significantly
over the baseline HMM method. GRNN computation is a successful
alternative to the other neural network and DHMM.
Abstract: The effect of antifungal compound from Bacillus
subtilis strain LB5 was tested against conidial germination of
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Pestalotiopsis eugeniae, causal
agent of anthracnose and fruit rot of wax apple, respectively.
Observation under scanning electron microscope and light compound
microscope revealed that conidial germination was completely
inhibited when treated with culture broth, culture filtrate, or crude
extract from strain LB5. Identification of purified antifungal
compound produced by strain LB5 in cell-free supernatant by nuclear
magnetic resonance and fast atom bombardment showed that the
active compound was iturin A-2.
Abstract: This paper studies the cultural creative industry's characteristics between the eastern and western of Zhejiang Province. Through the Comparative analysis, this paper works out that the cultural creative industry in western Zhejiang Province is mainly promoted by the inside force, and its level of development is obviously much lower than the eastern Zhejiang Province whose cultural creative industry is mainly pulled by outside forces. So this paper worked out some strategies for the development of cultural creative industry in western Zhejiang Province, which are based on the economic foundation and the cultural resource endowments. Finally these strategies will help to improve the whole development level of western Zhejiang Province, and contribute to the balance development between the west and east of Zhejiang Province.