Abstract: In this paper, a mathematical model of human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) is utilized and an optimization problem is
proposed, with the final goal of implementing an optimal 900-day
structured treatment interruption (STI) protocol. Two type of commonly
used drugs in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART),
reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTI) and protease inhibitors (PI), are
considered. In order to solving the proposed optimization problem an
adaptive memetic algorithm with population management (AMAPM)
is proposed. The AMAPM uses a distance measure to control the
diversity of population in genotype space and thus preventing the
stagnation and premature convergence. Moreover, the AMAPM uses
diversity parameter in phenotype space to dynamically set the population
size and the number of crossovers during the search process.
Three crossover operators diversify the population, simultaneously.
The progresses of crossover operators are utilized to set the number
of each crossover per generation. In order to escaping the local optima
and introducing the new search directions toward the global optima,
two local searchers assist the evolutionary process. In contrast to
traditional memetic algorithms, the activation of these local searchers
is not random and depends on both the diversity parameters in
genotype space and phenotype space. The capability of AMAPM in
finding optimal solutions compared with three popular metaheurestics
is introduced.
Abstract: The most severe damage of the turbine rotor is its
distortion. The rotor straightening process must lead, at the first
stage, to removal of the stresses from the material by annealing and
next, to straightening of the plastic distortion without leaving any
stress by hot spotting. The straightening method does not produce
stress accumulations and the heating technique, developed
specifically for solid forged rotors and disks, enables to avoid local
overheating and structural changes in the material. This process also
does not leave stresses in the shaft material. An experimental study
of hot spotting is carried out on a large turbine rotor and some of the
most important effective parameters that must be considered on
annealing and hot spotting processes are investigated in this paper.
Abstract: The organic farmers use wider range of crop varieties than the conventional farming. Bread wheat is the most favorite and the most common food crop. The organic bread wheat is usually of worse technological quality. Therefore, it is supposed to be an attractive alternative to the hulled wheat species (einkorn, emmer wheat and spelt). Twenty-five hulled bread wheat varieties and control bread wheat ones were grown on the certified organic parcel in České Budějovice (the Czech Republic) between 2009 and 2012. Their baking quality was measured and evaluated with standard methods, and in accordance with ICC. The results have shown that the grain of hulled wheat varieties contain a lot of proteins in grains (up to 18 percent); even the organic hulled bread wheat varieties are characterized by such good baking quality. Einkorn and emmer wheat are of worse technological quality of proteins (low values of gluten index and Zeleny test), which is a disadvantage of these two wheat species. On the other hand, spelt wheat is of better technological quality and is similar to the control bread wheat varieties. Mixtures consisting of bread wheat, among others, are considered good alternatives; they may contribute to wider range of use of the hulled wheat species. It is one of the possibilities which may increase the proportion of proteins in bread wheat grains; the nutrition-rich hulled wheat grains may be also used in such way at the same time.
Abstract: Developing a stable early warning system (EWS)
model that is capable to give an accurate prediction is a challenging
task. This paper introduces k-nearest neighbour (k-NN) method
which never been applied in predicting currency crisis before with the
aim of increasing the prediction accuracy. The proposed k-NN
performance depends on the choice of a distance that is used where in
our analysis; we take the Euclidean distance and the Manhattan as a
consideration. For the comparison, we employ three other methods
which are logistic regression analysis (logit), back-propagation neural
network (NN) and sequential minimal optimization (SMO). The
analysis using datasets from 8 countries and 13 macro-economic
indicators for each country shows that the proposed k-NN method
with k = 4 and Manhattan distance performs better than the other
methods.
Abstract: This paper presents a boarding on biometric
authentication through the Keystrokes Dynamics that it intends to
identify a person from its habitual rhythm to type in conventional
keyboard. Seven done experiments: verifying amount of prototypes,
threshold, features and the variation of the choice of the times of the
features vector. The results show that the use of the Keystroke
Dynamics is simple and efficient for personal authentication, getting
optimum resulted using 90% of the features with 4.44% FRR and 0%
FAR.
Abstract: The ever growing sentiment of environmentalism across the globe has made many people think on the green lines. But most of such ideas halt short of implementation because of the short term economic viability issues with the concept of going green. In this paper we have tried to amalgamate the green concept with social entrepreneurship for solving a variety of issues faced by the society today. In addition the paper also tries to ensure that the short term economic viability does not act as a deterrent. The paper comes up three sustainable models of social entrepreneurship which tackle a wide assortment of issues such as nutrition problem, land problems, pollution problems and employment problems. The models described fall under the following heads: - Spirulina cultivation: The model addresses nutrition, land and employment issues. It deals with cultivation of a blue green alga called Spirulina which can be used as a very nutritious food. Also, the implementation of this model would bring forth employment to the poor people of the area. - Biocomposites: The model comes up with various avenues in which biocomposites can be used in an economically sustainable manner. This model deals with the environmental concerns and addresses the depletion of natural resources. - Packaging material from empty fruit bunches (EFB) of oil palm: This one deals with air and land pollution. It is intended to be a substitute for packaging materials made from Styrofoam and plastics which are non-biodegradable. It takes care of the biodegradability and land pollution issues. It also reduces air pollution as the empty fruit bunches are not incinerated. All the three models are sustainable and do not deplete the natural resources any further. This paper explains each of the models in detail and deals with the operational/manufacturing procedures and cost analysis while also throwing light on the benefits derived and sustainability aspects.
Abstract: The research object was apple-black currant
marmalade candies. Experiments were carried out at the Faculty of
Food Technology of the Latvia University of Agriculture. An active
packaging in combination with modified atmosphere (MAP, CO2
100%) was examined and compared with traditional packaging in air
ambiance. Polymer Multibarrier 60 and paper bags were used.
Influence of iron based oxygen absorber in sachets of 500 cc
obtained from Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Europe Ageless® was tested
on the quality during the shelf of marmalade. Samples of 80±5 g
were packaged in polymer pouches (110 mm x 110 mm),
hermetically sealed by MULTIVAC C300 vacuum chamber machine,
and stored in room temperature +20.0±1.0 °C. The physiochemical
properties – weight losses, moisture content, hardness, aw, pH, colour,
changes of atmosphere content (CO2 and O2) in headspace of packs,
and microbial conditions were analysed before packaging and in the
1st, 3rd , 5th, 8th, 11th and 15th weeks of storage.
Abstract: Skin color based tracking techniques often assume a
static skin color model obtained either from an offline set of library
images or the first few frames of a video stream. These models
can show a weak performance in presence of changing lighting or
imaging conditions. We propose an adaptive skin color model based
on the Gaussian mixture model to handle the changing conditions.
Initial estimation of the number and weights of skin color clusters
are obtained using a modified form of the general Expectation
maximization algorithm, The model adapts to changes in imaging
conditions and refines the model parameters dynamically using spatial
and temporal constraints. Experimental results show that the method
can be used in effectively tracking of hand and face regions.
Abstract: Space-time block code(STBC) has been studied to get
full diversity and full rate in multiple input multiple output(MIMO)
system. Achieving full rate is difficult in cooperative communications
due to the each user consumes the time slots for transmitting
information in cooperation phase. So combining MIMO systems
with cooperative communications has been researched for full diversity
and full rate. In orthogonal frequency division multiple access
(OFDMA) system, it is an alternative way that each user shares their
allocated subchannels instead of using the MIMO system to improve
the transmission rate. In this paper, a Decode-and-forward (DF)
based cooperative communication scheme is proposed. The proposed
scheme has improved transmission rate and reliability in multi-path
fading channel of the OFDMA up-link condition by modified STBC
structure and subchannel sharing.
Abstract: In the present work an investigation of the effects of
the air frontal velocity, relative humidity and dry air temperature on
the heat transfer characteristics of plain finned tube evaporator has
been conducted. Using an appropriate correlation for the air side heat
transfer coefficient the temperature distribution along the fin surface
was calculated using a dimensionless temperature distribution. For a
constant relative humidity and bulb temperature, it is found that the
temperature distribution decreases with increasing air frontal
velocity. Apparently, it is attributed to the condensate water film
flowing over the fin surface. When dry air temperature and face
velocity are being kept constant, the temperature distribution
decreases with the increase of inlet relative humidity. An increase in
the inlet relative humidity is accompanied by a higher amount of
moisture on the fin surface. This results in a higher amount of latent
heat transfer which involves higher fin surface temperature. For the
influence of dry air temperature, the results here show an increase in
the dimensionless temperature parameter with a decrease in bulb
temperature. Increasing bulb temperature leads to higher amount of
sensible and latent heat transfer when other conditions remain
constant.
Abstract: Batch fermentation of 5, 10 and 25 g/L biodiesel
derived crude glycerol was carried out at 30, 37 and 450C by
Clostridium pasteurianum cells immobilized on silica. Maximum
yield of 1,3-propanediol (PDO) (0.60 mol/mol), and ethanol (0.26
mol/mol) were obtained from 10 g/L crude glycerol at 30 and 370C
respectively. Maximum yield of butanol (0.28 mol/mol substrate
added) was obtained at 370C with 25 g/L substrate. None of the three
products were detected at 45oC even after 10 days of fermentation.
Only traces of ethanol (0.01 mol/mol) were detected at 450C with 5
g/L substrate. The results obtained for 25 g/L substrate utilization
were fitted in first order rate equation to obtain the values of rate
constant at three different temperatures for bioconversion of glycerol.
First order rate constants for bioconversion of glycerol at 30, 37 and
45oC were found to be 0.198, 0.294 and 0.029/day respectively.
Activation energy (Ea) for crude glycerol bioconversion was
calculated to be 57.62 kcal/mol.
Abstract: A supervisory scheme is proposed that implements Stepwise Safe Switching Logic. The functionality of the supervisory scheme is organized in the following eight functional units: Step- Wise Safe Switching unit, Common controllers design unit, Experimentation unit, Simulation unit, Identification unit, Trajectory cruise unit, Operating points unit and Expert system unit. The supervisory scheme orchestrates both the off-line preparative actions, as well as the on-line actions that implement the Stepwise Safe Switching Logic. The proposed scheme is a generic tool, that may be easily applied for a variety of industrial control processes and may be implemented as an automation software system, with the use of a high level programming environment, like Matlab.
Abstract: In this paper we propose the study of a centrifugal pump control system driven by a three-phase induction motor, which is supplied by a PhotoVoltaic PV generator. The system includes solar panel, a DC / DC converter equipped with its MPPT control, a voltage inverter to three-phase Pulse Width Modulation - PWM and a centrifugal pump driven by a three phase induction motor. In order to control the flow of the centrifugal pump, a Direct Torque Control - DTC of the induction machine is used. To illustrate the performances of the control, simulation results are carried out using Matlab/Simulink.
Abstract: In this paper, the influencing parameters of a novel
purely mechanical wireless in-mould injection moulding sensor
were investigated. The sensor is capable of detecting the melt
front at predefined locations inside the mould. The sensor comprises
a movable pin which acts as the sensor element generating
structure-borne sound triggered by the passing melt front. Due to
the sensor design, melt pressure is the driving force. For pressure
level measurement during pin movement a pressure transducer
located at the same position as the movable pin. By deriving
a mathematical model for the mechanical movement, dominant
process parameters could be investigated towards their impact
on the melt front detection characteristic. It was found that the
sensor is not affected by the investigated parameters enabling it
for reliable melt front detection. In addition, it could be proved
that the novel sensor is in comparable range to conventional melt
front detection sensors.
Abstract: Latvia is the fourth in the world by means of broadband internet speed. The total number of internet users in Latvia exceeds 70% of its population. The number of active mailboxes of the local internet e-mail service Inbox.lv accounts for 68% of the population and 97.6% of the total number of internet users. The Latvian portal Draugiem.lv is a phenomenon of social media, because 58.4 % of the population and 83.5% of internet users use it. A majority of Latvian company profiles are available on social networks, the most popular being Twitter.com. These and other parameters prove the fact consumers and companies are actively using the Internet.
However, after the authors in a number of studies analyzed how enterprises are employing the e-environment, namely, e-environment tools, they arrived to the conclusions that are not as flattering as the aforementioned statistics. There is an obvious contradiction between the statistical data and the actual studies. As a result, the authors have posed a question: Why are entrepreneurs resistant to e-tools? In order to answer this question, the authors have addressed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The authors analyzed each phase and determined several factors affecting the use of e-environment, reaching the main conclusion that entrepreneurs do not have a sufficient level of e-literacy (digital literacy).
The authors employ well-established quantitative and qualitative methods of research: grouping, analysis, statistic method, factor analysis in SPSS 20 environment etc.
The theoretical and methodological background of the research is formed by, scientific researches and publications, that from the mass media and professional literature, statistical information from legal institutions as well as information collected by the author during the survey.
Abstract: In this study, a minimal submaximal element of LIT(X) (the lattice of all intuitionistic topologies for X, ordered by inclusion) is determined. Afterwards, a new contractive property, intuitionistic mega-connectedness, is defined. We show that the submaximality and mega-connectedness are not complementary intuitionistic topological invariants by identifying those members of LIT(X) which are intuitionistic mega-connected.
Abstract: This research aims to create a model for analysis of student motivation behavior on e-Learning based on association rule mining techniques in case of the Information Technology for Communication and Learning Course at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. The model was created under association rules, one of the data mining techniques with minimum confidence. The results showed that the student motivation behavior model by using association rule technique can indicate the important variables that influence the student motivation behavior on e-Learning.
Abstract: In this paper, a novel contrast enhancement technique
for contrast enhancement of a low-contrast satellite image has been
proposed based on the singular value decomposition (SVD) and
discrete cosine transform (DCT). The singular value matrix
represents the intensity information of the given image and any
change on the singular values change the intensity of the input image.
The proposed technique converts the image into the SVD-DCT
domain and after normalizing the singular value matrix; the enhanced
image is reconstructed by using inverse DCT. The visual and
quantitative results suggest that the proposed SVD-DCT method
clearly shows the increased efficiency and flexibility of the proposed
method over the exiting methods such as Linear Contrast Stretching
technique, GHE technique, DWT-SVD technique, DWT technique,
Decorrelation Stretching technique, Gamma Correction method
based techniques.
Abstract: One of the difficulties of the vibration-based damage identification methods is the nonuniqueness of the results of damage identification. The different damage locations and severity may cause the identical response signal, which is even more severe for detection of the multiple damage. This paper proposes a new strategy for damage detection to avoid this nonuniqueness. This strategy firstly determines the approximates damage area based on the statistical pattern recognition method using the dynamic strain signal measured by the distributed fiber Bragg grating, and then accurately evaluates the damage information based on the Bayesian model updating method using the experimental modal data. The stochastic simulation method is then used to compute the high-dimensional integral in the Bayesian problem. Finally, an experiment of the plate structure, simulating one part of mechanical structure, is used to verify the effectiveness of this approach.
Abstract: In this paper, a new method of information fusion – DSmT (Dezert and Smarandache Theory) is introduced to apply to managing and dealing with the uncertain information from robot map building. Here we build grid map form sonar sensors and laser range finder (LRF). The uncertainty mainly comes from sonar sensors and LRF. Aiming to the uncertainty in static environment, we propose Classic DSm (DSmC) model for sonar sensors and laser range finder, and construct the general basic belief assignment function (gbbaf) respectively. Generally speaking, the evidence sources are unreliable in physical system, so we must consider the discounting theory before we apply DSmT. At last, Pioneer II mobile robot serves as a simulation experimental platform. We build 3D grid map of belief layout, then mainly compare the effect of building map using DSmT and DST. Through this simulation experiment, it proves that DSmT is very successful and valid, especially in dealing with highly conflicting information. In short, this study not only finds a new method for building map under static environment, but also supplies with a theory foundation for us to further apply Hybrid DSmT (DSmH) to dynamic unknown environment and multi-robots- building map together.