Abstract: At-site flood frequency analysis is used to estimate
flood quantiles when at-site record length is reasonably long. In
Australia, FLIKE software has been introduced for at-site flood
frequency analysis. The advantage of FLIKE is that, for a given
application, the user can compare a number of most commonly
adopted probability distributions and parameter estimation methods
relatively quickly using a windows interface. The new version of
FLIKE has been incorporated with the multiple Grubbs and Beck test
which can identify multiple numbers of potentially influential low
flows. This paper presents a case study considering six catchments in
eastern Australia which compares two outlier identification tests
(original Grubbs and Beck test and multiple Grubbs and Beck test)
and two commonly applied probability distributions (Generalized
Extreme Value (GEV) and Log Pearson type 3 (LP3)) using FLIKE
software. It has been found that the multiple Grubbs and Beck test
when used with LP3 distribution provides more accurate flood
quantile estimates than when LP3 distribution is used with the
original Grubbs and Beck test. Between these two methods, the
differences in flood quantile estimates have been found to be up to
61% for the six study catchments. It has also been found that GEV
distribution (with L moments) and LP3 distribution with the multiple
Grubbs and Beck test provide quite similar results in most of the
cases; however, a difference up to 38% has been noted for flood
quantiles for annual exceedance probability (AEP) of 1 in 100 for one
catchment. This finding needs to be confirmed with a greater number
of stations across other Australian states.
Abstract: Present study is aimed on the cutting process of circular
cross-section rods where the fracture is used to separate one rod
into two pieces. Incorporating the phenomenological ductile fracture
model into the explicit formulation of finite element method, the
process can be analyzed without the necessity of realizing too many
real experiments which could be expensive in case of repetitive
testing in different conditions. In the present paper, the steel AISI
1045 was examined and the tensile tests of smooth and notched
cylindrical bars were conducted together with biaxial testing of the
notched tube specimens to calibrate material constants of selected
phenomenological ductile fracture models. These were implemented
into the Abaqus/Explicit through user subroutine VUMAT and used
for cutting process simulation. As the calibration process is based
on variables which cannot be obtained directly from experiments,
numerical simulations of fracture tests are inevitable part of the
calibration. Finally, experiments regarding the cutting process were
carried out and predictive capability of selected fracture models is
discussed. Concluding remarks then make the summary of gained
experience both with the calibration and application of particular
ductile fracture criteria.
Abstract: This study is purposed to develop an efficient fault
detection method for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
applications based on adaptive noise covariance estimation. Due to the
dependence on radio frequency signals, GNSS measurements are
dominated by systematic errors in receiver’s operating environment.
In the proposed method, the pseudorange and carrier-phase
measurement noise covariances are obtained at time propagations and
measurement updates in process of Carrier-Smoothed Code (CSC)
filtering, respectively. The test statistics for fault detection are
generated by the estimated measurement noise covariances. To
evaluate the fault detection capability, intentional faults were added to
the filed-collected measurements. The experiment result shows that
the proposed method is efficient in detecting unhealthy measurements
and improves GNSS positioning accuracy against fault occurrences.
Abstract: One of the most important tasks in the risk
management is the correct determination of probability of default
(PD) of particular financial subjects. In this paper a possibility of
determination of financial institution’s PD according to the creditscoring
models is discussed. The paper is divided into the two parts.
The first part is devoted to the estimation of the three different
models (based on the linear discriminant analysis, logit regression
and probit regression) from the sample of almost three hundred US
commercial banks. Afterwards these models are compared and
verified on the control sample with the view to choose the best one.
The second part of the paper is aimed at the application of the chosen
model on the portfolio of three key Czech banks to estimate their
present financial stability. However, it is not less important to be able
to estimate the evolution of PD in the future. For this reason, the
second task in this paper is to estimate the probability distribution of
the future PD for the Czech banks. So, there are sampled randomly
the values of particular indicators and estimated the PDs’ distribution,
while it’s assumed that the indicators are distributed according to the
multidimensional subordinated Lévy model (Variance Gamma model
and Normal Inverse Gaussian model, particularly). Although the
obtained results show that all banks are relatively healthy, there is
still high chance that “a financial crisis” will occur, at least in terms
of probability. This is indicated by estimation of the various quantiles
in the estimated distributions. Finally, it should be noted that the
applicability of the estimated model (with respect to the used data) is
limited to the recessionary phase of the financial market.
Abstract: The crude oil in an oil well exists in various phases
such as gas, seawater, and sand, as well as oil. Therefore, a phase
separator is needed at the front of a single-phase pump for
pressurization and transfer. On the other hand, the application of a
multiphase pump can provide such advantages as simplification of the
equipment structure and cost savings, because there is no need for a
phase separation process. Therefore, the crude oil transfer method
using a multiphase pump is being applied to recently developed oil
wells. Due to this increase in demand, technical demands for the
development of multiphase pumps are sharply increasing, but the
progress of research into related technologies is insufficient, due to the
nature of multiphase pumps that require high levels of skills. This
study was conducted to verify the reliability of pump performance
evaluation using numerical analysis, which is the basis of the
development of a multiphase pump. For this study, a model was
designed by selecting the specifications of this study. The performance
of the designed model was evaluated through numerical analysis and
experiment. The results of the performance evaluation were compared
to verify the reliability of the result using numerical analysis.
Abstract: Due to the large amount of information in the World
Wide Web (WWW, web) and the lengthy and usually linearly
ordered result lists of web search engines that do not indicate
semantic relationships between their entries, the search for topically
similar and related documents can become a tedious task. Especially,
the process of formulating queries with proper terms representing
specific information needs requires much effort from the user. This
problem gets even bigger when the user's knowledge on a subject and
its technical terms is not sufficient enough to do so. This article
presents the new and interactive search application DocAnalyser that
addresses this problem by enabling users to find similar and related
web documents based on automatic query formulation and state-ofthe-
art search word extraction. Additionally, this tool can be used to
track topics across semantically connected web documents.
Abstract: In new energy development, wind power has boomed.
It is due to the proliferation of wind parks and their operation in
supplying the national electric grid with low cost and clean resources.
Hence, there is an increased need to establish a proactive
maintenance for wind turbine machines based on remote control and
monitoring. That is necessary with a real-time wireless connection in
offshore or inaccessible locations while the wired method has many
flaws. The objective of this strategy is to prolong wind turbine
lifetime and to increase productivity. The hardware of a remote
control and monitoring system for wind turbine parks is designed. It
takes advantage of GPRS or Wi-Max wireless module to collect data
measurements from different wind machine sensors through IP based
multi-hop communication. Computer simulations with Proteus ISIS
and OPNET software tools have been conducted to evaluate the
performance of the studied system. Study findings show that the
designed device is suitable for application in a wind park.
Abstract: This paper presents reliability indices evaluation of the
rotor core magnetization of the induction motor operated as a self
excited induction generator by using probability distribution approach
and Monte Carlo simulation. Parallel capacitors with calculated
minimum capacitive value across the terminals of the induction motor
operated as a SEIG with unregulated shaft speed have been connected
during the experimental study. A three phase, 4 poles, 50Hz, 5.5 hp,
12.3A, 230V induction motor coupled with DC Shunt Motor was
tested in the electrical machine laboratory with variable reactive loads.
Based on this experimental study, it is possible to choose a reliable
induction machines operated as a SEIG for unregulated renewable
energy application in remote area or where grid is not available.
Failure density function, cumulative failure distribution function,
survivor function, hazard model, probability of success and
probability of failure for reliability evaluation of the three phase
induction motor operating as a SEIG have been presented graphically
in this paper.
Abstract: With advances in solid-state power electronic devices
and microprocessors, various pulse-width-modulation (PWM)
techniques have been developed for industrial applications. This
paper presents the comparison of two different PWM techniques, the
sinusoidal PWM (SPWM) technique and the space-vector PWM
(SVPWM) technique applied to two level VSI for micro grid
applications. These two methods are compared by discussing their
ease of implementation and by analyzing the output harmonic spectra
of various output voltages (line-to-neutral voltages, and line-to-line
voltages) and their total harmonic distortion (THD). The SVPWM
technique in the under-modulation region can increase the
fundamental output voltage by 15.5% over the SPWM technique.
Abstract: Off-site construction methods have played an
important role in the construction sector in the past few decades. It is
increasingly becoming a major alternative technique and strategic
direction compared to traditional in-situ method. It produces a
significant amount of value for the construction industry and the
economy more generally. To date, an impressive number of studies
have been lunched on the perceived perception of off-site
construction. However, it seems that a quantifying benefit on the
offsite construction area is lacking. Therefore, this paper examines
the recent research literature on the benefits of off- site construction
and provides future direction. In the beginning, this paper provides a
brief history and current value of the off-site construction followed
by a detailed discussion on the benefit of off-site construction. These
benefits include but not limited to time saving, quality improvement,
relieving skills shortages, cost reduction and productivity
improvement. Toward this end, off-site construction should learn
from other productive industry similar to services or manufacturing
industry by applying operational management tools and techniques
with extensive focus on employee empowerment will shed the light
on future uptake of Off-site construction. This study is of value in
providing scholars have a clear picture of perceived benefit of off-site
construction research and give an opportunities for future uptake of
off-site method.
Abstract: Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is one of the goals and key
pillars of the construction management science because it comprises
many of the functions and processes necessary, which assist
organisations and agencies to achieve their goals. It has therefore
become important to design and control assets during their whole life
cycle, from the design and planning phase through to disposal phase.
LCCA is aimed to improve the decision making system in the
ownership of assets by taking into account all the cost elements
including to the asset throughout its life.
Current application of LCC approach is impractical during
misunderstanding of the advantages of LCC. This main objective of
this research is to show a different relationship between capital cost
and long-term running costs. One hundred and thirty eight actual
building projects in United Kingdom (UK) were used in order to
achieve and measure the above-mentioned objective of the study. The
result shown that LCC is one of the most significant tools should be
considered on the decision making process.
Abstract: Cloud service brokering is a new service paradigm that
provides interoperability and portability of application across multiple
Cloud providers. In this paper, we designed Cloud service brokerage
system, anyBroker, supporting integrated service provisioning and
SLA based service lifecycle management. For the system design, we
introduce the system concept and whole architecture, details of main
components and use cases of primary operations in the system. These
features ease the Cloud service provider and customer’s concern and
support new Cloud service open market to increase Cloud service
profit and prompt Cloud service echo system in Cloud computing
related area.
Abstract: In our paper we describe the security capabilities of
data collection. Data are collected with probes located in the near and
distant surroundings of the company. Considering the numerous
obstacles e.g. forests, hills, urban areas, the data collection is realized
in several ways. The collection of data uses connection via wireless
communication, LAN network, GSM network and in certain areas
data are collected by using vehicles. In order to ensure the connection
to the server most of the probes have ability to communicate in
several ways. Collected data are archived and subsequently used in
supervisory applications.
To ensure the collection of the required data, it is necessary to
propose algorithms that will allow the probes to select suitable
communication channel.
Abstract: The paper deals with communication standards for
control and production system. The authors formulate the
requirements for communication security protection. The paper is
focused on application protocols of the industrial networks and their
basic classification. The typical attacks are analysed and the safety
protection, based on requirements for specific industrial network is
suggested and defined in this paper.
Abstract: This study discovers a novel framework of individual
level technology adoption known as I-P (Individual- Privacy) towards
health information application in Smart National Identity Card. Many
countries introduced smart national identity card (SNIC) with various
applications such as health information application embedded inside
it. However, the degree to which citizens accept and use some of the
embedded applications in smart national identity remains unknown to
many governments and application providers as well. Moreover, the
factors of trust, perceived risk, Privacy concern and perceived
credibility need to be incorporated into more comprehensive models
such as extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of
Technology known as UTAUT2. UTAUT2 is a mainly widespread
and leading theory up to now. This research identifies factors
affecting the citizens’ behavioural intention to use health information
application embedded in SNIC and extends better understanding on
the relevant factors that the government and the application providers
would need to consider in predicting citizens’ new technology
acceptance in the future. We propose a conceptual framework by
combining the UTAUT2 and Privacy Calculus Model constructs and
also adding perceived credibility as a new variable. The proposed
framework may provide assistance to any government planning,
decision, and policy makers involving e-government projects.
Empirical study may be conducted in the future to provide proof and
empirically validate this I-P framework.
Abstract: The phased-array ultrasound transducer types are
utilities for medical ultrasonography as well as optical imaging.
However, their discontinuity characteristic limits the applications due
to the artifacts contaminated into the reconstructed images. Because
of the effects of the ultrasound pressure field pattern to the echo
ultrasonic waves as well as the optical modulated signal, the side
lobes of the focused ultrasound beam induced by discontinuity of the
phased-array ultrasound transducer might the reason of the artifacts.
In this paper, a simple method in approach of numerical simulation
was used to investigate the limitation of discontinuity of the elements
in phased-array ultrasound transducer and their effects to the
ultrasound pressure field. Take into account the change of ultrasound
pressure field patterns in the conditions of variation of the pitches
between elements of the phased-array ultrasound transducer, the
appropriated parameters for phased-array ultrasound transducer
design were asserted quantitatively.
Abstract: Multispectral screening systems are becoming more
popular because of their very interesting properties and applications.
One of the most significant applications of multispectral screening
systems is prevention of terrorist attacks. There are many kinds of
threats and many methods of detection. Visual detection of objects
hidden under clothing of a person is one of the most challenging
problems of threats detection. There are various solutions of the
problem; however, the most effective utilize multispectral
surveillance imagers. The development of imaging devices and
exploration of new spectral bands is a chance to introduce new
equipment for assuring public safety. We investigate the possibility
of long lasting detection of potentially dangerous objects covered
with various types of clothing. In the article we present the results of
comparative studies of passive imaging in three spectrums – visible,
infrared and terahertz.
Abstract: Kuosheng nuclear power plant (NPP) is a BWR/6 type
NPP and located on the northern coast of Taiwan. First, Kuosheng
NPP TRACE model were developed in this research. In order to assess
the system response of Kuosheng NPP TRACE model, startup tests
data were used to evaluate Kuosheng NPP TRACE model. Second, the
overpressurization transient analysis of Kuosheng NPP TRACE model
was performed. Besides, in order to confirm the mechanical property
and integrity of fuel rods, FRAPTRAN analysis was also performed in
this study.
Abstract: Recently, an increasing number of researchers have
been focusing on working out realistic solutions to sustainability
problems. As sustainability issues gain higher importance for
organisations, the management of such decisions becomes critical.
Knowledge representation is a fundamental issue of complex
knowledge based systems. Many types of sustainability problems
would benefit from models based on experts’ knowledge. Cognitive
maps have been used for analyzing and aiding decision making. A
cognitive map can be made of almost any system or problem. A
fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) can successfully represent knowledge
and human experience, introducing concepts to represent the essential
elements and the cause and effect relationships among the concepts to
model the behaviour of any system. Integrated waste management
systems (IWMS) are complex systems that can be decomposed to
non-related and related subsystems and elements, where many factors
have to be taken into consideration that may be complementary,
contradictory, and competitive; these factors influence each other and
determine the overall decision process of the system. The goal of the
present paper is to construct an efficient IWMS which considers
various factors. The authors’ intention is to propose an expert based
system design approach for implementing expert decision support in
the area of IWMSs and introduces an appropriate methodology for
the development and analysis of group FCM. A framework for such a
methodology consisting of the development and application phases is
presented.
Abstract: Stochastic User Equilibrium (SUE) model is a widely
used traffic assignment model in transportation planning, which is
regarded more advanced than Deterministic User Equilibrium (DUE)
model. However, a problem exists that the performance of the SUE
model depends on its error term parameter. The objective of this
paper is to propose a systematic method of determining the
appropriate error term parameter value for the SUE model. First, the
significance of the parameter is explored through a numerical
example. Second, the parameter calibration method is developed
based on the Logit-based route choice model. The calibration process
is realized through multiple nonlinear regression, using sequential
quadratic programming combined with least square method. Finally,
case analysis is conducted to demonstrate the application of the
calibration process and validate the better performance of the SUE
model calibrated by the proposed method compared to the SUE
models under other parameter values and the DUE model.