Abstract: Shape optimization of the airfoil with high aspect ratio
of long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is performed by the
multi-objective optimization technology coupled with computational
fluid dynamics (CFD). For predicting the aerodynamic characteristics
around the airfoil the high-fidelity Navier-Stokes solver is employed
and SMOGA (Simple Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm), which is
developed by authors, is used for solving the multi-objective
optimization problem. To obtain the optimal solutions of the design
variable (i.e., sectional airfoil profile, wing taper ratio and sweep) for
high performance of UAVs, both the lift and lift-to-drag ratio are
maximized whereas the pitching moment should be minimized,
simultaneously. It is found that the lift force and lift-to-drag ratio are
linearly dependent and a unique and dominant solution are existed.
However, a trade-off phenomenon is observed between the lift-to-drag
ratio and pitching moment. As the result of optimization, sixty-five
(65) non-dominated Pareto individuals at the cutting edge of design
spaces that is decided by airfoil shapes can be obtained.
Abstract: Proteomics is one of the largest areas of research for
bioinformatics and medical science. An ambitious goal of proteomics
is to elucidate the structure, interactions and functions of all proteins
within cells and organisms. Predicting Protein-Protein Interaction
(PPI) is one of the crucial and decisive problems in current research.
Genomic data offer a great opportunity and at the same time a lot of
challenges for the identification of these interactions. Many methods
have already been proposed in this regard. In case of in-silico
identification, most of the methods require both positive and negative
examples of protein interaction and the perfection of these examples
are very much crucial for the final prediction accuracy. Positive
examples are relatively easy to obtain from well known databases. But
the generation of negative examples is not a trivial task. Current PPI
identification methods generate negative examples based on some
assumptions, which are likely to affect their prediction accuracy.
Hence, if more reliable negative examples are used, the PPI prediction
methods may achieve even more accuracy. Focusing on this issue, a
graph based negative example generation method is proposed, which
is simple and more accurate than the existing approaches. An
interaction graph of the protein sequences is created. The basic
assumption is that the longer the shortest path between two
protein-sequences in the interaction graph, the less is the possibility of
their interaction. A well established PPI detection algorithm is
employed with our negative examples and in most cases it increases
the accuracy more than 10% in comparison with the negative pair
selection method in that paper.
Abstract: This paper presents a supervised clustering algorithm,
namely Grid-Based Supervised Clustering (GBSC), which is able to
identify clusters of any shapes and sizes without presuming any
canonical form for data distribution. The GBSC needs no prespecified
number of clusters, is insensitive to the order of the input
data objects, and is capable of handling outliers. Built on the
combination of grid-based clustering and density-based clustering,
under the assistance of the downward closure property of density
used in bottom-up subspace clustering, the GBSC can notably reduce
its search space to avoid the memory confinement situation during its
execution. On two-dimension synthetic datasets, the GBSC can
identify clusters with different shapes and sizes correctly. The GBSC
also outperforms other five supervised clustering algorithms when
the experiments are performed on some UCI datasets.
Abstract: In this paper, a periodic predator-prey system with harvesting terms and Holling II type functional response is considered. Sufficient criteria for the existence of at least sixteen periodic solutions are established by using the well known continuation theorem due to Mawhin. An example is given to illustrate the main result.
Abstract: A method based on the power series solution is proposed to solve the natural frequency of flapping vibration for the rotating inclined Euler beam with constant angular velocity. The vibration of the rotating beam is measured from the position of the corresponding steady state axial deformation. In this paper the governing equations for linear vibration of a rotating Euler beam are derived by the d'Alembert principle, the virtual work principle and the consistent linearization of the fully geometrically nonlinear beam theory in a rotating coordinate system. The governing equation for flapping vibration of the rotating inclined Euler beam is linear ordinary differential equation with variable coefficients and is solved by a power series with four independent coefficients. Substituting the power series solution into the corresponding boundary conditions at two end nodes of the rotating beam, a set of homogeneous equations can be obtained. The natural frequencies may be determined by solving the homogeneous equations using the bisection method. Numerical examples are studied to investigate the effect of inclination angle on the natural frequency of flapping vibration for rotating inclined Euler beams with different angular velocity and slenderness ratio.
Abstract: The influences of pulsed electric fields on early
physiological development in Arabidopsis thaliana were studied.
Inside a 4-mm electroporation cuvette, pre-germination seeds were
subjected to high-intensity, nanosecond electrical pulses generated
using laboratory-assembled pulsed electric field system. The field
strength was varied from 5 to 20 kV.cm-1 and the pulse width and the
pulse number were maintained at 10 ns and 100, respectively,
corresponding to the specific treatment energy from 300 J.kg-1 to 4.5
kJ.kg-1. Statistical analyses on the average leaf area 5 and 15 days
following pulsed electric field treatment showed that the effects
appear significant the second week after treatments with a maximum
increase of 80% compared to the control (P < 0.01).
Abstract: Safety Health and Environment Code of Practice (SHE
COP) was developed to help road transportation operators to manage
its operation in a systematic and safe manner. A study was conducted
to determine the effectiveness of SHE COP implementation during
non-OPS period. The objective of the study is to evaluate the
implementations of SHE COP among bus operators during wee hour
operations. The data was collected by completing a set of checklist
after observing the activities during pre departure, during the trip, and
upon arrival. The results show that there are seven widely practiced
SHE COP elements. 22% of the buses have average speed exceeding
the maximum permissible speed on the highways (90 km/h), with
13% of the buses were travelling at the speed of more than 100 km/h.
The statistical analysis shows that there is only one significant
association which relates speeding with prior presence of
enforcement officers.
Abstract: Technology transfer of renewable energy technologies is very often unsuccessful in the developing world. Aside from challenges that have social, economic, financial, institutional and environmental dimensions, technology transfer has generally been misunderstood, and largely seen as mere delivery of high tech equipment from developed to developing countries or within the developing world from R&D institutions to society. Technology transfer entails much more, including, but not limited to: entire systems and their component parts, know-how, goods and services, equipment, and organisational and managerial procedures. Means to facilitate the successful transfer of energy technologies, including the sharing of lessons are subsequently extremely important for developing countries as they grapple with increasing energy needs to sustain adequate economic growth and development. Improving the success of technology transfer is an ongoing process as more projects are implemented, new problems are encountered and new lessons are learnt. Renewable energy is also critical to improve the quality of lives of the majority of people in developing countries. In rural areas energy is primarily traditional biomass. The consumption activities typically occur in an inefficient manner, thus working against the notion of sustainable development. This paper explores the implementation of technology transfer in the developing world (sub-Saharan Africa). The focus is necessarily on RETs since most rural energy initiatives are RETs-based. Additionally, it aims to highlight some lessons drawn from the cited RE projects and identifies notable differences where energy technology transfer was judged to be successful. This is done through a literature review based on a selection of documented case studies which are judged against the definition provided for technology transfer. This paper also puts forth research recommendations that might contribute to improved technology transfer in the developing world. Key findings of this paper include: Technology transfer cannot be complete without satisfying pre-conditions such as: affordability, maintenance (and associated plans), knowledge and skills transfer, appropriate know how, ownership and commitment, ability to adapt technology, sound business principles such as financial viability and sustainability, project management, relevance and many others. It is also shown that lessons are learnt in both successful and unsuccessful projects.
Abstract: Numerical calculations of flow around a square cylinder are presented using the multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method at Reynolds number 150. The effects of upstream locations, downstream locations and blockage are investigated systematically. A detail analysis are given in terms of time-trace analysis of drag and lift coefficients, power spectra analysis of lift coefficient, vorticity contours visualizations and phase diagrams. A number of physical quantities mean drag coefficient, drag coefficient, Strouhal number and root-mean-square values of drag and lift coefficients are calculated and compared with the well resolved experimental data and numerical results available in open literature. The results had shown that the upstream, downstream and height of the computational domain are at least 7.5, 37.5 and 12 diameters of the cylinder, respectively.
Abstract: This article deals with the conceptual modeling under uncertainty. First, the division of information systems with their definition will be described, focusing on those where the construction of a conceptual model is suitable for the design of future information system database. Furthermore, the disadvantages of the traditional approach in creating a conceptual model and database design will be analyzed. A comprehensive methodology for the creation of a conceptual model based on analysis of client requirements and the selection of a suitable domain model is proposed here. This article presents the expert system used for the construction of a conceptual model and is a suitable tool for database designers to create a conceptual model.
Abstract: The most common type of controller being used in
the industry is PI(D) controller which has been used since 1945 and
is still being widely used due to its efficiency and simplicity. In
most cases, the PI(D) controller was tuned without taking into
consideration of the effect of actuator saturation. In real processes,
the most common actuator which is valve will act as constraint and
restrict the controller output. Since the controller is not designed to
encounter saturation, the process may windup and consequently
resulted in large oscillation or may become unstable. Usually, an
antiwindup compensator is added to the feedback control loop to
reduce the deterioration effect of integral windup. This research
aims to specifically control processes with constraints. The
proposed method was applied to two different types of food
processes, which are blending and spray drying. Simulations were
done using MATLAB and the performances of the proposed
method were compared with other conventional methods. The
proposed technique was able to control the processes and avoid
saturation such that no anti windup compensator is needed.
Abstract: Electrolytic dissolution characteristics of UO2 and
SIMFUEL electrodes were studied at several potentials in carbonate
solutions of a high concentration at several pHs. The electrolytic
uranium dissolution was much affected by a corrosion product of
UO2CO3 generated at the electrode during the dissolution in carbonate
solution. The corrosion product distorted the voltammogram at UO2
and SIMFUEL electrodes in the potential region of oxygen evolution
and increased the overpotential of oxygen evolution at the electrode.
The effective dissolution in a carbonate solution could be obtained at
an applied potential such as +4 V (vs SSE) or more which had an
overpotential of oxygen evolution high enough to rupture the
corrosion product on the electrode surface.
Abstract: The objective of the research is to study and compare
response surface designs: Central composite designs (CCD), Box-
Behnken designs (BBD), Small composite designs (SCD), Hybrid
designs, and Uniform shell designs (USD) over sets of reduced models
when the design is in a spherical region for 3 and 4 design variables.
The two optimality criteria ( D and G ) are considered which larger
values imply a better design. The comparison of design optimality
criteria of the response surface designs across the full second order
model and sets of reduced models for 3 and 4 factors based on the
two criteria are presented.
Abstract: In this paper, a novel method using Bees Algorithm is proposed to determine the optimal allocation of FACTS devices for maximizing the Available Transfer Capability (ATC) of power transactions between source and sink areas in the deregulated power system. The algorithm simultaneously searches the FACTS location, FACTS parameters and FACTS types. Two types of FACTS are simulated in this study namely Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC) and Static Var Compensator (SVC). A Repeated Power Flow with FACTS devices including ATC is used to evaluate the feasible ATC value within real and reactive power generation limits, line thermal limits, voltage limits and FACTS operation limits. An IEEE30 bus system is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm as an optimization tool to enhance ATC. A Genetic Algorithm technique is used for validation purposes. The results clearly indicate that the introduction of FACTS devices in a right combination of location and parameters could enhance ATC and Bees Algorithm can be efficiently used for this kind of nonlinear integer optimization.
Abstract: This study aims to analyze the effect of e-learning on
photonics technology and daily livings among college students. The
course contents of photonics technology and daily livings are first
drafted based on research discussions and expert interviews. Having
expert questionnaires with Delphi Technique for three times, the
knowledge units and items for the course of photonics technology and
daily livings are established. The e-learning materials and the drafts of
instructional strategies, academic achievement, and learning attitude
scales are then developed. With expert inspection, reliability and
validity test, and experimental instructions, the scales and the material
are further revised. Finally, the formal instructions are implemented to
test the effect of different instructional methods on the academic
achievement of photonics technology and daily livings among students
in universities of technology. The research results show that e-learning
could effectively promote academic achievement and learning
attitude, and the students with e-learning obviously outperform the
ones with trandition instructions.
Abstract: Low oxygen content vanadium powder was
prepared by hydrogenation dehydrogenization (HDH). The
effect of purification treatment on hydrogen absorption kinetics
of dendritic vanadium was tested, and the effects of milling
technique on powder yield and grain size were studied. The
crystal phase, oxygen and nitrgen content, and grain size of
prepared powder were characterized and analyzed by X-ray
diffraction (XRD), oxygen and nitrogen analyzer and grain size
analyzer. The results show that the alkaline cleaning can
improve the hydrogen absorption of vanadium. The yield of
vanadium hydride powder can reach as high as 90% by 4h
ball-milling, The resultant product also have an oxygen content
less than 600μg/g, and the grain size is smaller than 37μm.
Meanwhile, the XRD results show that the phase of hydride
vanadium powder is mainly VH0.81. After a hydrogen
desorption treatment in vacuum at 700Ôäâ, the phase of the
powder converts into V and a little of V2H.
Abstract: This paper describes an experience of research,
development and innovation applied in Industrial Naval at (Science
and Technology Corporation for the Development of Shipbuilding
Industry, Naval in Colombia (COTECMAR) particularly through
processes of research, innovation and technological development,
based on theoretical models related to organizational knowledge
management, technology management and management of human
talent and integration of technology platforms. It seeks ways to
facilitate the initial establishment of environments rich in
information, knowledge and content-supported collaborative
strategies on dynamic processes missionary, seeking further
development in the context of research, development and innovation
of the Naval Engineering in Colombia, making it a distinct basis for
the generation of knowledge assets from COTECMAR.
The integration of information and communication technologies,
supported on emerging technologies (mobile technologies, wireless,
digital content via PDA, and content delivery services on the Web 2.0
and Web 3.0) as a view of the strategic thrusts in any organization
facilitates the redefinition of processes for managing information and
knowledge, enabling the redesign of workflows, the adaptation of
new forms of organization - preferably in networking and support the
creation of symbolic-inside-knowledge promotes the development of
new skills, knowledge and attitudes of the knowledge worker
Abstract: Alumina matrix composites with addition of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), acting as solid lubricant, were produced. Main purpose of solid lubricants is to dispose the necessity of using cooling lubricants in machining process. Hot pressing was used as a consolidating process for Al2O3-x%wt.hBN (x=1/ 2,5/ 5 /7,5 /10) composites. Properties of sinters such as relative density, hardness, Young-s modulus and fracture toughness were examined. Obtained samples characterize by high relative density. Hardness and fracture toughness values allow the use of alumina – hBN composites for machining steels even in hardened condition. However it was observed that high weight content of hBN can negatively influence the mechanical properties of composites.
Abstract: The Requirements Abstraction Model (RAM) helps in managing abstraction in requirements by organizing them at four levels (product, feature, function and component). The RAM is adaptable and can be tailored to meet the needs of the various organizations. Because software requirements are an important source of information for developing high-level tests, organizations willing to adopt the RAM model need to know the suitability of the RAM requirements for developing high-level tests. To investigate this suitability, test cases from twenty randomly selected requirements were developed, analyzed and graded. Requirements were selected from the requirements document of a Course Management System, a web based software system that supports teachers and students in performing course related tasks. This paper describes the results of the requirements document analysis. The results show that requirements at lower levels in the RAM are suitable for developing executable tests whereas it is hard to develop from requirements at higher levels.
Abstract: The American Health Level Seven (HL7) Reference Information Model (RIM) consists of six back-bone classes that have different specialized attributes. Furthermore, for the purpose of enforcing the semantic expression, there are some specific mandatory vocabulary domains have been defined for representing the content values of some attributes. In the light of the fact that it is a duplicated effort on spending a lot of time and human cost to develop and modify Clinical Information Systems (CIS) for most hospitals due to the variety of workflows. This study attempts to design and develop sharing RIM-based components of the CIS for the different business processes. Therefore, the CIS contains data of a consistent format and type. The programmers can do transactions with the RIM-based clinical repository by the sharing RIM-based components. And when developing functions of the CIS, the sharing components also can be adopted in the system. These components not only satisfy physicians- needs in using a CIS but also reduce the time of developing new components of a system. All in all, this study provides a new viewpoint that integrating the data and functions with the business processes, it is an easy and flexible approach to build a new CIS.