Abstract: The paper presents a method in which the expert
knowledge is applied to fuzzy inference model. Even a less
experienced person could benefit from the use of such a system, e.g.
urban planners, officials. The analysis result is obtained in a very
short time, so a large number of the proposed locations can also be
verified in a short time. The proposed method is intended for testing
of locations of car parks in a city. The paper shows selected examples
of locations of the P&R facilities in cities planning to introduce the
P&R. The analyses of existing objects are also shown in the paper
and they are confronted with the opinions of the system users, with
particular emphasis on unpopular locations. The results of the
analyses are compared to expert analysis of the P&R facilities
location that was outsourced by the city and the opinions about
existing facilities users that were expressed on social networking
sites. The obtained results are consistent with actual users’ feedback.
The proposed method proves to be good, but does not require the
involvement of a large experts team and large financial contributions
for complicated research. The method also provides an opportunity to
show the alternative location of P&R facilities. Although the results
of the method are approximate, they are not worse than results of
analysis of employed experts. The advantage of this method is ease of
use, which simplifies the professional expert analysis. The ability of
analyzing a large number of alternative locations gives a broader
view on the problem. It is valuable that the arduous analysis of the
team of people can be replaced by the model's calculation. According
to the authors, the proposed method is also suitable for
implementation on a GIS platform.
Abstract: Searching the “Island of stability” is a topic of
extreme interest in theoretical as well as experimental modern
physics today. This “island of stability” is spanned by superheavy
elements (SHE's) that are produced in the laboratory. SHE's are
believed to exist primarily due to the “magic” stabilizing effects of
nuclear shell structure. SHE synthesis is extremely difficult due to
their very low production cross section, often of the order of pico
barns or less. Stabilizing effects of shell closures at proton number
Z=82 and neutron number N=126 are predicted theoretically. Though
stabilizing effects of Z=82 have been experimentally verified, no
concluding observations have been made with N=126, so far. We
measured and analyzed the total evaporation residue (ER) cross
sections for a number of systems with neutron number around 126 to
explore possible shell closure effects in ER cross sections, in this
work.
Abstract: Maintenance and design engineers have great concern
for the functioning of rotating machineries due to the vibration
phenomenon. Improper functioning in rotating machinery originates
from the damage to rolling element bearings. The status of rolling
element bearings require advanced technologies to monitor their
health status efficiently and effectively. Avoiding vibration during
machine running conditions is a complicated process. Vibration
simulation should be carried out using suitable sensors/ transducers to
recognize the level of damage on bearing during machine operating
conditions. Various issues arising in rotating systems are interlinked
with bearing faults. This paper presents an approach for fault
diagnosis of bearings using neural networks and time/frequencydomain
vibration analysis.
Abstract: In India, most of the pavement is laid by bituminous
road and the consumption of binder is high for pavement construction
and also modified binders are used to satisfy any specific pavement
requirement. Since the binders are visco-elastic material which is
having the mechanical properties of binder transition from viscoelastic
solid to visco-elastic fluid. In this paper, two different
protocols were used to measure the viscosity property of binder using
a Brookfield Viscometer and there is a need to find the appropriate
mixing and compaction temperatures of various types of binders
which can result in complete aggregate coating and adequate field
density of HMA mixtures. The aim of this work is to find the
transition temperature from Non-Newtonian behavior to Newtonian
behavior of the binder by adopting a steady shear protocol and the
shear rate ramp protocol. The transition from non-Newtonian to
Newtonian can occur through an increase of temperature and shear of
the material. The test has been conducted for unmodified binder VG
30. The transition temperature was found in the unmodified binder
VG is 120oC. Therefore, the application of both modified binder and
unmodified binder in the pavement construction needs to be studied
properly by considering temperature and traffic loading factors of the
respective project site.
Abstract: Cochlear Implantation (CI) which became a routine
procedure for the last decades is an electronic device that provides a
sense of sound for patients who are severely and profoundly deaf.
The optimal success of this implantation depends on the electrode
technology and deep insertion techniques. However, this manual
insertion procedure may cause mechanical trauma which can lead to
severe destruction of the delicate intracochlear structure.
Accordingly, future improvement of the cochlear electrode implant
insertion needs reduction of the excessive force application during
the cochlear implantation which causes tissue damage and trauma.
This study is examined tool-tissue interaction of large prototype scale
digit embedded with distributive tactile sensor based upon cochlear
electrode and large prototype scale cochlea phantom for simulating
the human cochlear which could lead to small scale digit
requirements. The digit, distributive tactile sensors embedded with
silicon-substrate was inserted into the cochlea phantom to measure
any digit/phantom interaction and position of the digit in order to
minimize tissue and trauma damage during the electrode cochlear
insertion. The digit have provided tactile information from the digitphantom
insertion interaction such as contact status, tip penetration,
obstacles, relative shape and location, contact orientation and
multiple contacts. The tests demonstrated that even devices of such a
relative simple design with low cost have potential to improve
cochlear implant surgery and other lumen mapping applications by
providing tactile sensory feedback information and thus controlling
the insertion through sensing and control of the tip of the implant
during the insertion. In that approach, the surgeon could minimize the
tissue damage and potential damage to the delicate structures within
the cochlear caused by current manual electrode insertion of the
cochlear implantation. This approach also can be applied to other
minimally invasive surgery applications as well as diagnosis and path
navigation procedures.
Abstract: The occurrences of precipitation, also commonly
referred as rain, in the form of "convective" and "stratiform" have
been identified to exist worldwide. In this study, the radar return
echoes or known as reflectivity values acquired from radar scans
have been exploited in the process of classifying the type of rain
endured. The investigation use radar data from Malaysian
Meteorology Department (MMD). It is possible to discriminate the
types of rain experienced in tropical region by observing the vertical
characteristics of the rain structure. .Heavy rain in tropical region
profoundly affects radiowave signals, causing transmission
interference and signal fading. Required wireless system fade margin
depends on the type of rain. Information relating to the two
mentioned types of rain is critical for the system engineers and
researchers in their endeavour to improve the reliability of
communication links. This paper highlights the quantification of
percentage occurrences over one year period in 2009.
Abstract: Computer education is referred to as the knowledge
and ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with a
range of skills covering levels from basic use to advance. Computer
continues to make an ever-increasing impact on all aspect of human
endeavours such as education. With numerous benefits of computer
education, what are the insights of students on computer education?
This study investigated the perception of senior secondary school
students on computer education in Federal Capital Territory (FCT),
Abuja, Nigeria. A sample of 7500 senior secondary schools students
was involved in the study, one hundred (100) private and fifty (50)
public schools within FCT. They were selected by using simple
random sampling technique. A questionnaire [PSSSCEQ] was
developed and validated through expert judgement and reliability coefficient
of 0.84 was obtained. It was used to gather relevant data on
computer education. Findings confirmed that the students in the FCT
had positive perception on computer education. Some factors were
identified that affect students’ perception on computer education. The
null hypotheses were tested using t-test and ANOVA statistical
analyses at 0.05 level of significance. Based on these findings, some
recommendations were made which include competent teachers
should be employed into all secondary schools. This will help
students to acquire relevant knowledge in computer education,
technological supports should be provided to all secondary schools;
this will help the users (students) to solve specific problems in
computer education and financial supports should be provided to
procure computer facilities that will enhance the teaching and the
learning of computer education.
Abstract: Information technology has been gaining more and
more space whether in industry, commerce or even for personal use,
but the misuse of it brings harm to the environment and human health
as a result. Contribute to the sustainability of the planet is to
compensate the environment, all or part of what withdraws it. The
green computing also came to propose practical for use in IT in an
environmentally correct way in aid of strategic management and
communication. This work focuses on showing how a mobile
application can help businesses reduce costs and reduced
environmental impacts caused by its processes, through a case study
of a public company in Brazil.
Abstract: Hard coatings are widely used in cutting and forming
tool industries. Titanium Nitride (TiN) possesses good hardness,
strength, and corrosion resistance. The coating properties are
influenced by many process parameters. The coatings were deposited
on steel substrate by changing the process parameters such as
substrate temperature, nitrogen flow rate and target power in a D.C
planer magnetron sputtering. The structure of coatings were analysed
using XRD. The hardness of coatings was found using Micro
hardness tester. From the experimental data, a regression model was
developed and the optimum response was determined using Response
Surface Methodology (RSM).
Abstract: Rapid developments in technology in the present age
have made it necessary for communities to follow technological
developments and adapt themselves to these developments. One of
the fields that are most rapidly affected by these developments is
undoubtedly education. Determination of the attitudes of preservice
teachers, who live in an age of technology and get ready to raise
future individuals, is of paramount importance both educationally and
professionally. The purpose of this study was to analyze attitudes of
preservice teachers towards technology and some variables that
predict these attitudes (gender, daily duration of internet use, and the
number of technical devices owned). 329 preservice teachers
attending the education faculty of a large university in central Turkey
participated, on a volunteer basis, in this study, where relational
survey model was used as the research method. Research findings
reveal that preservice teachers’ attitudes towards technology are
positive and at the same time, the attitudes of male preservice
teachers towards technology are more positive than their female
counterparts. As a result of the stepwise multiple regression analysis
where factors predicting preservice teachers’ attitudes towards
technology, it was found that duration of daily internet use was the
strongest predictor of attitudes towards technology.
Abstract: The need to protect our cultural heritage was stressed
on revitalization of historical city centers in communities. The main
aim of this research is to attract finance and activities to the historical
city centers through the citizens and municipalities participation
while cities expanded their boundaries toward suburban areas. Today
the main problems which facing to the most historical city centers, is
loss of their centrality through effect of urbanization on any point of
the cities which is the most important issue on neglect and
abandonment of the historical central area by decentralizing living,
commerce and public areas. This article evaluate the ways in which
city center revitalization can be effect on vitality and viability of the
central area in case of Naghshe Jahan square which situated at the
center of Isfahan city, Iran. Constructed between 1598 and 1629, it is
now an important historical site, and one of UNESCO's World
Heritage Sites.
Abstract: Over the last two decades, externally bonded fiber
reinforced polymer (FRP) composites bonded to concrete substrates
has become a popular method for strengthening reinforced concrete
(RC) highway and railway bridges. Such structures are exposed to
severe cyclic loading throughout their lifetime often resulting in
fatigue damage to structural components and a reduction in the
service life of the structure. Since experimental and numerical results
on the fatigue performance of FRP-to-concrete joints are still limited,
the current research focuses on assessing the fatigue performance of
externally bonded FRP-to-concrete joints using a direct shear test.
Some early results indicate that the stress ratio and the applied cyclic
stress level have a direct influence on the fatigue life of the externally
bonded FRP. In addition, a calibrated finite element model is
developed to provide further insight into the influence of certain
parameters such as: concrete strength, FRP thickness, number of
cycles, frequency, and stiffness on the fatigue life of the FRP-toconcrete
joints.
Abstract: In the present work, forming limit diagrams and strain
distribution profile diagrams for extra deep drawing steel at room and
elevated temperatures have been determined experimentally by
conducting stretch forming experiments by using designed and
fabricated warm stretchforming tooling setup. With the help of
forming Limit Diagrams (FLDs) and strain, distribution profile
diagrams the formability of Extra Deep Drawing steel has been
analyzed and co-related with mechanical properties like strain
hardening COEFFICIENT (n) and normal anisotropy (r−). Mechanical
properties of EDD steel from room temperature to 4500C were
determined and discussed the impact of temperature on the properties
like work hardening exponent (n) anisotropy (r-) and strength
coefficient of the material. In addition, the fractured surfaces after
stretching have undergone the some metallurgical investigations and
attempt has been made to co-relate with the formability of EDD steel
sheets. They are co-related and good agreement with FLDs at various
temperatures.
Abstract: Context-aware technologies provide system
applications with the awareness of environmental conditions,
customer behaviours, object movements, etc. Further, with such
capability system applications can be smart to intelligently adapt their
responses to the changing conditions. In regard to business
operations, this promises businesses that their business processes can
run more intelligently, adaptively and flexibly, and thereby either
improve customer experience, enhance reliability of service delivery,
or lower operational cost, to make the business more competitive and
sustainable. Aiming at realising such context-aware business process
management, this paper firstly explores its potential benefit, and then
identifies some gaps between the current business process
management support and the expected. In addition, some preliminary
solutions are also discussed in regard to context definition, rule-based
process execution, run-time process evolution, etc. A framework is
also presented to give a conceptual architecture of context-aware
business process management system to guide system
implementation.
Abstract: A Reconfigurable Wilkinson power divider is
proposed in this paper. In existing system only a limited number of
bandwidth is used at the output ports, in the proposed Wilkinson
power divider different band of frequencies are obtained by using
PIN diode. By tuning the PIN diode, different frequencies are
achieved. The size of the power divider is reduced for the operating
frequency and increases the fractional bandwidth.
Abstract: A Friction stir welding tool is a critical component to
the success of the process. The tool typically consists of a rotating
round shoulder and a threaded cylindrical pin that heats the work
piece, mostly by friction, and moves the softened alloy around it to
form the joint. In this research work, an attempt has been made to
investigate the relationship between FSW variables mainly tool
profile, rotating speed, welding speed and the mechanical properties
(tensile strength, yield strength, percentage elongation, and micro
hardness) of friction stir welded aluminum alloy 5083 joints. From
the experimental details, it can be assessed that the joint produced by
using Triflute profile tool has contribute superior mechanical and
structural properties as compared to Tapered unthreaded & Threaded
tool for 1000rpm.
Abstract: Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
technology is the most promising technology for the proper
utilization of huge raw bandwidth provided by an optical fiber. One
of the key problems in implementing the all-optical WDM network is
the packet contention. This problem can be solved by several
different techniques. In time domain approach the packet contention
can be reduced by incorporating Fiber Delay Lines (FDLs) as optical
buffer in the switch architecture. Different types of buffering
architectures are reported in literatures. In the present paper a
comparative performance analysis of three most popular FDL
architectures are presented in order to obtain the best contention
resolution performance. The analysis is further extended to consider
the effect of different fiber non-linearities on the network
performance.
Abstract: Online measurement of the product quality is a
challenging task in cement production, especially in the production of
Celitement, a novel environmentally friendly hydraulic binder. The
mineralogy and chemical composition of clinker in ordinary Portland
cement production is measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and
X-ray fluorescence (XRF), where only crystalline constituents can be
detected. But only a small part of the Celitement components can be
measured via XRD, because most constituents have an amorphous
structure. This paper describes the development of algorithms
suitable for an on-line monitoring of the final processing step of
Celitement based on NIR-data. For calibration intermediate products
were dried at different temperatures and ground for variable
durations. The products were analyzed using XRD and
thermogravimetric analyses together with NIR-spectroscopy to
investigate the dependency between the drying and the milling
processes on one and the NIR-signal on the other side. As a result,
different characteristic parameters have been defined. A short
overview of the Celitement process and the challenging tasks of the
online measurement and evaluation of the product quality will be
presented. Subsequently, methods for systematic development of
near-infrared calibration models and the determination of the final
calibration model will be introduced. The application of the model on
experimental data illustrates that NIR-spectroscopy allows for a quick
and sufficiently exact determination of crucial process parameters.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of new class of
epoxy based rice husk filled jute reinforced composites. Rice husk
flour is added in 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% by weight. Epoxy resin and
triethylenetetramine (T.E.T.A) is used as matrix and hardener
respectively. It investigates the mechanical properties of the
composites and a comparison is done for monolithic jute composite
and the filled ones. The specimens are prepared according to the
ASTM standards and experimentation is carried out using INSTRON
8801. The result shows that with the increase of filler percentage the
tensile properties increases but compressive and flexural properties
decreases.
Abstract: In this work, a framework to model the Supply Chain
(SC) Collaborative Planning (CP) process is proposed. The main
contributions of this framework concern 1) the presentation of the
decision view, the most important one due to the characteristics of the
process, jointly within the physical, organisation and information
views, and 2) the simultaneous consideration of the spatial and
temporal integration among the different supply chain decision
centres. This framework provides the basis for a realistic and
integrated perspective of the supply chain collaborative planning
process and also the analytical modeling of each of its decisional
activities.