Abstract: This study concerned the dynamic behavior of the
wind turbine rotor. Before all we have studied the loads applied to the
rotor, which allows the knowledge their effect on the fatigue, also
studied the rotor with longitudinal crack in order to determine stress,
strain and displacement. Firstly we compared the first six modes
shapes between cracking and uncracking of HAWT rotor. Secondly
we show show evolution of first six natural frequencies with
longitudinal crack propagation. Finally we conclude that the residual
change in the natural frequencies can be used as in shaft crack
diagnosis predictive maintenance.
Abstract: In this paper, the improvement by deconvolution of
the depth resolution in Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS)
analysis is considered. Indeed, we have developed a new Tikhonov-
Miller deconvolution algorithm where a priori model of the solution
is included. This is a denoisy and pre-deconvoluted signal obtained
from: firstly, by the application of wavelet shrinkage algorithm,
secondly by the introduction of the obtained denoisy signal in an
iterative deconvolution algorithm. In particular, we have focused the
light on the effect of the iterations number on the evolution of the
deconvoluted signals. The SIMS profiles are multilayers of Boron in
Silicon matrix.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to forecast the influences
of information and communication technology (ICT) on the structural
changes of Japanese economies. In this study, input-output (IO) and
statistical approaches are used as analysis instruments. More
specifically, this study employs Leontief IO coefficients and
constrained multivariate regression (CMR) model in order to achieve
the purpose. The periods of initial and forecast in this study are 2005
and 2015, respectively. In this study, ICT is represented by ICT capital
stocks. This study conducts two levels of analysis, namely macro and
micro. The results of macro level analysis show that the dynamics of
Japanese economies on the forecast period, relative to the initial period,
are not so high. We focus on (1) commerce, (2) business services and
office supplies, and (3) personal services sectors when conducting the
analysis of the micro level. Further, we analyze its specific IO
coefficients when doing this analysis. The results of the analysis
explain that ICT gives a strong influence on the changes of these
coefficients from initial to forecast periods.
Abstract: In this paper we describe one critical research
program within a complex, ongoing multi-year project (2010 to 2014
inclusive) with the overall goal to improve the learning outcomes for
first year undergraduate commerce/business students within an
Information Systems (IS) subject with very large enrolment. The
single research program described in this paper is the analysis of
student attitudes and decision making in relation to the availability of
formative assessment feedback via Web-based real time conferencing
and document exchange software (Adobe Connect). The formative
assessment feedback between teaching staff and students is in respect
of an authentic problem-based, team-completed assignment. The
analysis of student attitudes and decision making is investigated via
both qualitative (firstly) and quantitative (secondly) application of the
Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with a two statistically-significant
and separate trial samples of the enrolled students. The initial
qualitative TPB investigation revealed that perceived self-efficacy,
improved time-management, and lecturer-student relationship
building were the major factors in shaping an overall favorable
student attitude to online feedback, whilst some students expressed
valid concerns with perceived control limitations identified within the
online feedback protocols. The subsequent quantitative TPB
investigation then confirmed that attitude towards usage, subjective
norms surrounding usage, and perceived behavioral control of usage
were all significant in shaping student intention to use the online
feedback protocol, with these three variables explaining 63 percent of
the variance in the behavioral intention to use the online feedback
protocol. The identification in this research of perceived behavioral
control as a significant determinant in student usage of a specific
technology component within a virtual learning environment (VLE)
suggests that VLEs could now be viewed not as a single, atomic
entity, but as a spectrum of technology offerings ranging from the
mature and simple (e.g., email, Web downloads) to the cutting-edge
and challenging (e.g., Web conferencing and real-time document
exchange). That is, that all VLEs should not be considered the same.
The results of this research suggest that tertiary students have the
technological sophistication to assess a VLE in this more selective
manner.
Abstract: Exact solution of an unsteady flow of elastico-viscous
fluid through a porous media in a tube of spherical cross section
under the influence of constant pressure gradient has been obtained in
this paper. Initially, the flow is generated by a constant pressure
gradient. After attaining the steady state, the pressure gradient is
suddenly withdrawn and the resulting fluid motion in a tube of
spherical cross section by taking into account of the porosity factor of
the bounding surface is investigated. The problem is solved in twostages
the first stage is a steady motion in tube under the influence of
a constant pressure gradient, the second stage concern with an
unsteady motion. The problem is solved employing separation of
variables technique. The results are expressed in terms of a nondimensional
porosity parameter (K) and elastico-viscosity parameter
(β), which depends on the Non-Newtonian coefficient. The flow
parameters are found to be identical with that of Newtonian case as
elastic-viscosity parameter tends to zero and porosity tends to
infinity. It is seen that the effect of elastico-viscosity parameter,
porosity parameter of the bounding surface has significant effect on
the velocity parameter.
Abstract: The research presented in this paper has been focused
on analysing the impact of traffic on the sustainable development of
tourism in Croatia's Dubrovacko-Neretvanska County by the year
2020, based on the figures and trends reported in 2014 and using the
relevant variables that characterise the synergy of traffic and tourism
in, speaking from the geographic viewpoint, the most problematic
county in the Republic of Croatia. The basic hypothesis has been
confirmed through scientifically obtained research results, through
the quantification of the model's variables and the direct growth rates
of the designed model. On the basis of scientific insights into the
sustainable development of traffic and tourism in Dubrovacko-
Neretvanska County, it is possible to propose a new information
model for traffic at the service of the sustainable development of
tourism in the County for the period 2014-2020.
Abstract: VACTERL association is a rare disorder with various
congenital malformations. The aetiology remains unknown.
Combination of at least three congenital anomalies of the following
criteria is required for diagnosis: vertebral defects, anal atresia,
cardiac anomalies, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and
limb defects. The first case was 1-day old male neonate with multiple
congenital anomalies was bore from 28 years old mother. The mother
had history of pregnancy with lymphocyte therapy. His anomalies
included: defects in thoracic and lumbar vertebral, anal atresia,
bilateral hydronephrosis, atrial septal defect, and lower limb
abnormality. Other anomalies were cryptorchidism and nasal canal
narrowing. The second case was born with 32 weeks gestational age
from mother with history of pregnancy with lymphocyte therapy. He
had thoracic vertebral defect, cardiac anomalies and renal defect.
diagnosis based on clinical finding is VACTERL association. Early
diagnosis is very important to investigation and treatment of other
coexistence anomalies. VACTERL association in mothers with
history of pregnancy with lymphocyte therapy has suggested possibly
of relationship between VACTERL association and this method of
pregnancy.
Abstract: This paper presents the details of a numerical study of
buckling and post buckling behaviour of laminated carbon fiber
reinforced plastic (CFRP) thin-walled cylindrical shell under axial
compression using asymmetric meshing technique (AMT) by
ABAQUS. AMT is considered to be a new perturbation method to
introduce disturbance without changing geometry, boundary
conditions or loading conditions. Asymmetric meshing affects both
predicted buckling load and buckling mode shapes. Cylindrical shell
having lay-up orientation [0^o/+45^o/-45^o/0^o] with radius to thickness
ratio (R/t) equal to 265 and length to radius ratio (L/R) equal to 1.5 is
analysed numerically. A series of numerical simulations
(experiments) are carried out with symmetric and asymmetric
meshing to study the effect of asymmetric meshing on predicted
buckling behaviour. Asymmetric meshing technique is employed in
both axial direction and circumferential direction separately using
two different methods, first by changing the shell element size and
varying the total number elements, and second by varying the shell
element size and keeping total number of elements constant. The
results of linear analysis (Eigenvalue analysis) and non-linear
analysis (Riks analysis) using symmetric meshing agree well with
analytical results. The results of numerical analysis are presented in
form of non-dimensional load factor, which is the ratio of buckling
load using asymmetric meshing technique to buckling load using
symmetric meshing technique. Using AMT, load factor has about 2%
variation for linear eigenvalue analysis and about 2% variation for
non-linear Riks analysis. The behaviour of load end-shortening curve
for pre-buckling is same for both symmetric and asymmetric meshing
but for asymmetric meshing curve behaviour in post-buckling
becomes extraordinarily complex. The major conclusions are:
different methods of AMT have small influence on predicted
buckling load and significant influence on load displacement curve
behaviour in post buckling; AMT in axial direction and AMT in
circumferential direction have different influence on buckling load
and load displacement curve in post-buckling.
Abstract: Image search engines rely on the surrounding textual
keywords for the retrieval of images. It is a tedious work for the
search engines like Google and Bing to interpret the user’s search
intention and to provide the desired results. The recent researches
also state that the Google image search engines do not work well on
all the images. Consequently, this leads to the emergence of efficient
image retrieval technique, which interprets the user’s search intention
and shows the desired results. In order to accomplish this task, an
efficient image re-ranking framework is required. Sequentially, to
provide best image retrieval, the new image re-ranking framework is
experimented in this paper. The implemented new image re-ranking
framework provides best image retrieval from the image dataset by
making use of re-ranking of retrieved images that is based on the
user’s desired images. This is experimented in two sections. One is
offline section and other is online section. In offline section, the reranking
framework studies differently (reference classes or Semantic
Spaces) for diverse user query keywords. The semantic signatures get
generated by combining the textual and visual features of the images.
In the online section, images are re-ranked by comparing the
semantic signatures that are obtained from the reference classes with
the user specified image query keywords. This re-ranking
methodology will increases the retrieval image efficiency and the
result will be effective to the user.
Abstract: This study is used as a definition method to the value
and function in manufacturing sector. In concurrence of discussion
about present condition of modeling method, until now definition of
1D-CAE is ambiguity and not conceptual. Across all the physic fields,
those methods are defined with the formulation of differential
algebraic equation which only applied time derivation and simulation.
At the same time, we propose semi-acausal modeling concept and
differential algebraic equation method as a newly modeling method
which the efficiency has been verified through the comparison of
numerical analysis result between the semi-acausal modeling
calculation and FEM theory calculation.
Abstract: The study of organisations’ information security
cultures has attracted scholars as well as healthcare services industry
to research the topic and find appropriate tools and approaches to
develop a positive culture. The vast majority of studies in Saudi
national health services are on the use of technology to protect and
secure health services information. On the other hand, there is a lack
of research on the role and impact of an organisation’s cultural
dimensions on information security. This research investigated and
analysed the role and impact of cultural dimensions on information
security in Saudi Arabia health service. Hypotheses were tested and
two surveys were carried out in order to collect data and information
from three major hospitals in Saudi Arabia (SA). The first survey
identified the main cultural-dimension problems in SA health
services and developed an initial information security culture
framework model. The second survey evaluated and tested the
developed framework model to test its usefulness, reliability and
applicability. The model is based on human behaviour theory, where
the individual’s attitude is the key element of the individual’s
intention to behave as well as of his or her actual behaviour. The
research identified a set of cultural and sub-cultural dimensions in SA
health information security and services.
Abstract: Kazakhstan is currently one of the dynamically
developing states in its region. The stable growth in all sectors of the
economy leads to a corresponding increase in energy consumption.
Thus country consumes significant amount of energy due to the high
level of industrialisation and the presence of energy-intensive
manufacturing such as mining and metallurgy which in turn leads to
low energy efficiency. With allowance for this the Government has
set several priorities to adopt a transition of Republic of Kazakhstan
to a “green economy”. This article provides an overview of
Kazakhstan’s energy efficiency situation in for the period of 1991-
2014. First, the dynamics of production and consumption of
conventional energy resources are given. Second, the potential of
renewable energy sources is summarised followed by the description
of GHG emissions trends in the country. Third, Kazakhstan’ national
initiatives, policies and locally implemented projects in the field of
energy efficiency are described.
Abstract: A parametric study on circular thin-walled pipes
subjected to pure bending is performed. Both straight and curved
pipes are considered. Ratio D/t, initial pipe curvature and internal
pressure are the parameters varying in the analyses. The study is
mainly FEA-based.
It is found that negative curvatures (opposite to bending moment)
considerably increase stiffness and buckling limit of the pipe when no
internal pressure is acting and, similarly, positive curvatures decrease
the stiffness and buckling limit. For internal pressurised pipes the
effects of initial pipe curvature are less relevant. Results show that
this phenomenon is in relationship with the cross-section deformation
due to bending moment, which undergoes relevant ovalisation for no
pressurised pipes and little ovalisation for pressurised pipes.
Abstract: The main objective of this paper is study the influence
of carbon nano-tubes fibers and nano silica fibers on the
characteristic compressive strength and flexural strength on concrete
and cement mortar. Twelve tested specimens were tested with square
section its dimensions (4040 160) mm, divided into four groups.
The first and second group studied the effect of carbon nano-tubes
(CNTs) fibers with different percentage equal to 0.0, 0.11%, 0.22%,
and 0.33% by weight of cement and effect of nano-silica (nS) fibers
with different percentages equal to 0.0, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0% by
weight of cement on the cement mortar. The third and fourth groups
studied the effect of CNTs fiber with different percentage equal to
0.0%, 0.11%, and 0.22% by weight of cement, and effect of nS fibers
with different percentages were equal to 0.0%, 1.0%, and 2.0% by
weight of cement on the concrete. The compressive strength and
flexural strength at 7, 28, and 90 days is determined. From analysis of
tested results concluded that the nano-fibers is more effective when
used with cement mortar more than used with concrete because of
increasing the surface area, decreasing the pore and the collection of
nano-fibers. And also by adding nano-fibers the improvement of
flexural strength of concrete and cement mortar is more than
improvement of compressive strength.
Abstract: Image or document encryption is needed through egovernment
data base. Really in this paper we introduce two matrices
images, one is the public, and the second is the secret (original). The
analyses of each matrix is achieved using the transformation of
singular values decomposition. So each matrix is transformed or
analyzed to three matrices say row orthogonal basis, column
orthogonal basis, and spectral diagonal basis. Product of the two row
basis is calculated. Similarly the product of the two column basis is
achieved. Finally we transform or save the files of public, row
product and column product. In decryption stage, the original image
is deduced by mutual method of the three public files.
Abstract: This study examines several critical dimensions of eservice
quality overlooked in the existing literature and proposes a
model and instrument framework for measuring customer perceived
e-service quality in the banking sector. The initial design was derived
from a pool of instrument dimensions and their items from the
existing literature review by content analysis. Based on focused
group discussion, nine dimensions were extracted. An exploratory
factor analysis approach was applied to data from a survey of 323
respondents. The instrument has been designed specifically for the
banking sector. Research data was collected from bank customers
who use electronic banking in a developing economy. A nine-factor
instrument has been proposed to measure the e-service quality. The
instrument has been checked for reliability. The validity and sample
place limited the applicability of the instrument across economies and
service categories. Future research must be conducted to check the
validity. This instrument can help bankers in developing economies
like India to measure the e-service quality and make improvements.
The present study offers a systematic procedure that provides insights
on to the conceptual and empirical comprehension of customer
perceived e-service quality and its constituents.
Abstract: In medical imaging, segmentation of different areas of
human body like bones, organs, tissues, etc. is an important issue.
Image segmentation allows isolating the object of interest for further
processing that can lead for example to 3D model reconstruction of
whole organs. Difficulty of this procedure varies from trivial for
bones to quite difficult for organs like liver. The liver is being
considered as one of the most difficult human body organ to segment.
It is mainly for its complexity, shape versatility and proximity of
other organs and tissues. Due to this facts usually substantial user
effort has to be applied to obtain satisfactory results of the image
segmentation. Process of image segmentation then deteriorates from
automatic or semi-automatic to fairly manual one. In this paper,
overview of selected available software applications that can handle
semi-automatic image segmentation with further 3D volume
reconstruction of human liver is presented. The applications are being
evaluated based on the segmentation results of several consecutive
DICOM images covering the abdominal area of the human body.
Abstract: Water flow management is one of the most important
parts of river engineering. Non-uniformity distribution of rainfall and
various flow demand with unreasonable flow management will be
caused destroyed of river ecosystem. Then, it is very serious to
determine ecosystem flow requirement. In this paper, Flow duration
curve indices method which has hydrological based was used to
evaluate environmental flow in Gharasou River, Ardabil, Iran. Using
flow duration curve, Q90 and Q95 for different return periods were
calculated. Their magnitude were determined as 1-day, 3-day, 7-day
and 30 day. According the second method, hydraulic alteration
indices often had low and medium range. In order to maintain river at
an acceptable ecological condition, minimum daily discharge of
index Q95 is 0.7 m3.s-1.
Abstract: The study is a review of the literature concerning the
consequences of non-standard monetary policy, which are used by
central banks during unconventional periods, threatening banking
sector instability. In particular, the attention was paid to the effects of
non-standard monetary policy tools for financial markets. However,
the empirical evidence about their effects and real consequences for
financial markets is still not final. The main aim of the study is to
survey consequences of standard and non-standard monetary policy
instruments, implemented during the global financial crisis in the
United States, United Kingdom and euro area, with particular
attention to the results for the stabilization of global financial
markets. The study consists mainly of the empirical review,
indicating the impact of the implementation of these tools for
financial markets. The following research methods were used in the
study: literature studies, including domestic and foreign literature,
cause and effect analysis and statistical analysis.
Abstract: In this paper, we considered and applied parametric
modeling for some experimental data of dynamical system. In this
study, we investigated the different distribution of output
measurement from some dynamical systems. Also, with variance
processing in experimental data we obtained the region of
nonlinearity in experimental data and then identification of output
section is applied in different situation and data distribution. Finally,
the effect of the spanning the measurement such as variance to
identification and limitation of this approach is explained.