Abstract: Analyzing DNA microarray data sets is a great
challenge, which faces the bioinformaticians due to the complication
of using statistical and machine learning techniques. The challenge
will be doubled if the microarray data sets contain missing data,
which happens regularly because these techniques cannot deal with
missing data. One of the most important data analysis process on
the microarray data set is feature selection. This process finds the
most important genes that affect certain disease. In this paper, we
introduce a technique for imputing the missing data in microarray
data sets while performing feature selection.
Abstract: The dielectric properties and ionic conductivity of
novel "ceramic state" polymer electrolytes for high capacity lithium
battery are characterized by Radio frequency and Microwave
methods in two broad frequency ranges from 50 Hz to 20 KHz and 4
GHz to 40 GHz. This innovative solid polymer electrolyte which is
highly ionic conductive (10-3 S/cm at room temperature) from -40oC
to +150oC can be used in any battery application. Such polymer
exhibits properties more like a ceramic rather than polymer. The
various applied measurement methods produced accurate dielectric
results for comprehensive analysis of electrochemical properties and
ion transportation mechanism of this newly invented polymer
electrolyte. Two techniques and instruments employing air gap
measurement by Capacitance Bridge and in-waveguide measurement
by vector network analyzer are applied to measure the complex
dielectric spectra. The complex dielectric spectra are used to
determine the complex alternating current electrical conductivity and
thus the ionic conductivity.
Abstract: This study was conducted in the area of Vlora Bay,
Albania. Data about Sea Turtles Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas,
belonging to two periods of time (1984 – 1991; 2008 – 2014) are
given. All data gathered were analyzed using recent methodologies.
For all turtles captured (as by catch), the Curve Carapace Length
(CCL) and Curved Carapace Width (CCW) were measured. These
data were statistically analyzed, where the mean was 67.11 cm for
CCL and 57.57 cm for CCW of all individuals studied (n=13). All
untagged individuals of marine turtles were tagged using metallic
tags (Stockbrand’s titanium tag) with an Albanian address. Sex was
determined and resulted that 45.4% of individuals were females,
27.3% males and 27.3% juveniles. All turtles were studied for the
presence of the epibionts. The area of Vlora Bay is used from marine
turtles (Caretta caretta) as a migratory corridor to pass from
Mediterranean to the northern part of the Adriatic Sea.
Abstract: This paper presents an adaptive thermal comfort
model study in the tropical country of Malaysia. A number of
researchers have been interested in applying the adaptive thermal
comfort model to different climates throughout the world, but so far
no study has been performed in Malaysia. For the use as a thermal
comfort model, which better applies to hot and humid climates, the
adaptive thermal comfort model was developed as part of this
research by using the collected results from a large field study in six
lecture halls with 178 students. The relationship between the
operative temperature and behavioral adaptations was determined. In
the developed adaptive model, the acceptable indoor neutral
temperatures lay within the range of 23.9-26.0C, with outdoor
temperatures ranging between 27.0-34.6C. The most comfortable
temperature for students in lecture hall was 25.7C.
Abstract: Interaction between human, location and activity
defines space. In the framework of these relations, space is a
container for current specifications in relations of the 3 mentioned
elements. The change of land utility considered with average
performance range, urban regulations, society requirements etc. will
provide welfare and comfort for citizens. From an engineering view it
is fundamental that choosing a proper location for a specific civil
activity requires evaluation of locations from different perspectives.
The debate of desirable establishment of municipal service elements
in urban regions is one of the most important issues related to urban
planning. In this paper, the research type is applicable based on goal,
and is descriptive and analytical based on nature. Initially existing
terminals in Esfahan are surveyed and then new locations are
presented based on evaluated criteria. In order to evaluate terminals
based on the considered factors, an AHP model is used at first to
estimate weight of different factors and then existing and suggested
locations are evaluated using Arc GIS software and AHP model
results. The results show that existing bus terminals are located in
fairly proper locations. Further results of this study suggest new
locations to establish terminals based on urban criteria.
Abstract: Fiber Bragg optic sensor is embedded in composite
material to detect and monitor the damage that occurs in composite
structures. In this paper, we deal with the mode-Ι delamination to
determine the material strength to crack propagation, using the
coupling mode theory and T-matrix method to simulate the FBGs
spectrum for both uniform and non-uniform strain distribution. The
double cantilever beam test is modeled in FEM to determine the
longitudinal strain. Two models are implemented, the first is the
global half model, and the second is the sub-model to represent the
FBGs with higher refined mesh. This method can simulate damage in
composite structures and converting strain to a wavelength shifting in
the FBG spectrum.
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: Iran has several potential for using renewable
energies, so use them could significantly contribute to energy supply.
The purpose of this paper is to identify the potential of the country
and select the appropriate DG technologies with consideration the
potential and primary energy resources in the regions. In this context,
hybrid energy systems proportionate with the potential of different
regions will be determined based on technical, economic, and
environmental aspect. In the following the proposed structure will be
optimized in terms of size and cost. DG technologies used in this
project include photovoltaic system, wind turbine, diesel generator
and battery bank. The HOMER software is applied for choosing the
appropriate structure and the optimization of system sizing. The
results have been analyzed in terms of technical and economic. The
performance and the cost of each project demonstrate the appropriate
structure of hybrid energy system in that region.
Abstract: The western Tombolo of the Giens peninsula in
southern France, known as Almanarre beach, is subject to coastal
erosion. We are trying to use computer simulation in order to propose
solutions to stop this erosion. Our aim was first to determine the main
factors for this erosion and successfully apply a coupled hydrosedimentological
numerical model based on observations and
measurements that have been performed on the site for decades.
We have gathered all available information and data about waves,
winds, currents, tides, bathymetry, coastal line, and sediments
concerning the site. These have been divided into two sets: one
devoted to calibrating a numerical model using Mike 21 software, the
other to serve as a reference in order to numerically compare the
present situation to what it could be if we implemented different
types of underwater constructions.
This paper presents the first part of the study: selecting and
melting different sources into a coherent data basis, identifying the
main erosion factors, and calibrating the coupled software model
against the selected reference period.
Our results bring calibration of the numerical model with good
fitting coefficients. They also show that the winter South-Western
storm events conjugated to depressive weather conditions constitute a
major factor of erosion, mainly due to wave impact in the northern
part of the Almanarre beach. Together, current and wind impact is
shown negligible.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to give an assessment of
environmental effects of IPPC permit conditions of installations that
are in specific territory with high concentration of industrial
activities.
The IPPC permit is the permit that each operator should hold to
operate the installation as stated by the directive 2010/75/UE on
industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control),
known as IED (Industrial Emissions Directive).
The IPPC permit includes all the measures necessary to achieve a
high level of protection of the environment as a whole, also defining
the monitoring requirements as measurement methodology,
frequency and evaluation procedure. The emissions monitoring of a
specific plant may also give indications of the contribution of these
emissions on the air quality of a definite area.
So, it is clear that the IPPC permits are important tools both to
improve the environmental framework and to achieve the air quality
standards, assisting to assess the possible industrial sources
contributions to air pollution.
Abstract: The present paper summarizes the analysis of the
request for consultation of information and data on industrial
emissions made publicly available on the web site of the Ministry of
Environment, Land and Sea on integrated pollution prevention and
control from large industrial installations, the so called “AIA Portal”.
As a matter of fact, a huge amount of information on national
industrial plants is already available on internet, although it is usually
proposed as textual documentation or images.
Thus, it is not possible to access all the relevant information
through interoperability systems and also to retrieval relevant
information for decision making purposes as well as rising of
awareness on environmental issue.
Moreover, since in Italy the number of institutional and private
subjects involved in the management of the public information on
industrial emissions is substantial, the access to the information is
provided on internet web sites according to different criteria; thus, at
present it is not structurally homogeneous and comparable.
To overcome the mentioned difficulties in the case of the
Coordinating Committee for the implementation of the Agreement
for the industrial area in Taranto and Statte, operating before the
IPPC permit granting procedures of the relevant installation located
in the area, a big effort was devoted to elaborate and to validate data
and information on characterization of soil, ground water aquifer and
coastal sea at disposal of different subjects to derive a global
perspective for decision making purposes. Thus, the present paper
also focuses on main outcomes matured during such experience.
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: The progress of industry integrated circuits in recent
years has been pushed by continuous miniaturization of transistors.
With the reduction of dimensions of components at 0.1 micron and
below, new physical effects come into play as the standard simulators
of two dimensions (2D) do not consider. In fact the third dimension
comes into play because the transverse and longitudinal dimensions
of the components are of the same order of magnitude. To describe
the operation of such components with greater fidelity, we must
refine simulation tools and adapted to take into account these
phenomena. After an analytical study of the static characteristics of
the component, according to the different operating modes, a
numerical simulation is performed of field-effect transistor with
submicron gate MESFET GaInP. The influence of the dimensions of
the gate length is studied. The results are used to determine the
optimal geometric and physical parameters of the component for their
specific applications and uses.
Abstract: The design and plantwide control of an integrated
plant where the endothermic 1,4-butanediol dehydrogenation and the
exothermic furfural hydrogenation is simultaneously performed in a
single reactor is studied. The reactions can be carried out in an
adiabatic reactor using small hydrogen excess and with reduced
parameter sensitivity. The plant is robust and flexible enough to
allow different production rates of γ-butyrolactone and 2-methyl
furan, keeping high product purities. Rigorous steady state and
dynamic simulations performed in AspenPlus and AspenDynamics to
support the conclusions.
Abstract: This work presents synthesis of α,ω-dithienyl
terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGTh) capable for further chain
extension by either chemical or electrochemical polymeriztion.
PEGTh was characterized by FTIR and 1H-NMR. Further
copolymerization of PEGTh and pyrrole (Py) was performed by
chemical oxidative polymerization using ceric (IV) salt as an oxidant
(PPy-PEGTh). PEG without end group modification was used
directly to prepare copolymers with Py by Ce (IV) salt (PPy-PEG).
Block copolymers with mole ratio of pyrrole to PEGTh (PEG) 50:1
and 10:1 were synthesized. The electrical conductivities of
copolymers PPy-PEGTh and PPy-PEG were determined by four
point probe technique. Influence of the synthetic route and content of
the insulating segment on conductivity and yield of the copolymers
were investigated.
Abstract: Different tools and technologies were implemented
for Crisis Response and Management (CRM) which is generally
using available network infrastructure for information exchange.
Depending on type of disaster or crisis, network infrastructure could
be affected and it could not be able to provide reliable connectivity.
Thus any tool or technology that depends on the connectivity could
not be able to fulfill its functionalities. As a solution, a new message
exchange framework has been developed. Framework provides
offline/online information exchange platform for CRM Information
Systems (CRMIS) and it uses XML compression and packet
prioritization algorithms and is based on open source web
technologies. By introducing offline capabilities to the web
technologies, framework will be able to perform message exchange
on unreliable networks. The experiments done on the simulation
environment provide promising results on low bandwidth networks
(56kbps and 28.8 kbps) with up to 50% packet loss and the solution is
to successfully transfer all the information on these low quality
networks where the traditional 2 and 3 tier applications failed.
Abstract: Vegetation affects the mean and turbulent flow
structure. It may increase flood risks and sediment transport.
Therefore, it is important to develop analytical approaches for the bed
shear stress on vegetated bed, to predict resistance caused by
vegetation. In the recent years, experimental and numerical models
have both been developed to model the effects of submerged
vegetation on open-channel flow. In this paper, different analytic
models are compared and tested using the criteria of deviation, to
explore their capacity for predicting the mean velocity and select the
suitable one that will be applied in real case of rivers. The
comparison between the measured data in vegetated flume and
simulated mean velocities indicated, a good performance, in the case
of rigid vegetation, whereas, Huthoff model shows the best
agreement with a high coefficient of determination (R2=80%) and the
smallest error in the prediction of the average velocities.
Abstract: Clustering involves the partitioning of n objects into k
clusters. Many clustering algorithms use hard-partitioning techniques
where each object is assigned to one cluster. In this paper we propose
an overlapping algorithm MCOKE which allows objects to belong to
one or more clusters. The algorithm is different from fuzzy clustering
techniques because objects that overlap are assigned a membership
value of 1 (one) as opposed to a fuzzy membership degree. The
algorithm is also different from other overlapping algorithms that
require a similarity threshold be defined a priori which can be
difficult to determine by novice users.
Abstract: In this report we have discussed the theoretical aspects
of the flow transformation, occurring through a series of bifurcations.
The parameters and their continuous diversion, the intermittent bursts
in the transition zone, variation of velocity and pressure with time,
effect of roughness in turbulent zone, and changes in friction factor
and head loss coefficient as a function of Reynolds number for a
transverse flow across a cylinder have been discussed. An analysis of
the variation in the wake length with Reynolds number was done in
FORTRAN.
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.