Abstract: Only recently have water ethics received focused interest in the international water community. Because water is metabolically basic to life, an ethical dimension persists in every decision related to water. Water ethics at once express human society-s approach to water and act as guidelines for behaviour. Ideas around water are often implicit and embedded as assumptions. They can be entrenched in behaviour and difficult to contest because they are difficult to “see". By explicitly revealing the ethical ideas underlying water-related decisions, human society-s relationship with water, and with natural systems of which water is part, can be contested and shifted or be accepted with conscious intention by human society. In recent decades, improved understanding of water-s importance for ecosystem functioning and ecological services for human survival is moving us beyond this growth-driven, supplyfocused management paradigm. Environmental ethics challenge this paradigm by extending the ethical sphere to the environment and thus water or water Resources management per se. An ethical approach is a legitimate, important, and often ignored approach to effect change in environmental decision making. This qualitative research explores principles of water ethics and examines the underlying ethical precepts of selected water policy examples. The constructed water ethic principles act as a set of criteria against which a policy comparison can be established. This study shows that water Resources management is a progressive issue by embracing full public participation and a new planning model, and knowledgegeneration initiatives.
Abstract: A road pricing game is a game where various stakeholders and/or regions with different (and usually conflicting) objectives compete for toll setting in a given transportation network to satisfy their individual objectives. We investigate some classical game theoretical solution concepts for the road pricing game. We establish results for the road pricing game so that stakeholders and/or regions playing such a game will beforehand know what is obtainable. This will save time and argument, and above all, get rid of the feelings of unfairness among the competing actors and road users. Among the classical solution concepts we investigate is Nash equilibrium. In particular, we show that no pure Nash equilibrium exists among the actors, and further illustrate that even “mixed Nash equilibrium" may not be achievable in the road pricing game. The paper also demonstrates the type of coalitions that are not only reachable, but also stable and profitable for the actors involved.
Abstract: In the LFC problem, the interconnections among some areas are the input of disturbances, and therefore, it is important to suppress the disturbances by the coordination of governor systems. In contrast, tie-line power flow control by TCPS located between two areas makes it possible to stabilize the system frequency oscillations positively through interconnection, which is also expected to provide a new ancillary service for the further power systems. Thus, a control strategy using controlling the phase angle of TCPS is proposed for provide active control facility of system frequency in this paper. Also, the optimum adjustment of PID controller's parameters in a robust way under bilateral contracted scenario following the large step load demands and disturbances with and without TCPS are investigated by Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), that has a strong ability to find the most optimistic results. This newly developed control strategy combines the advantage of PSO and TCPS and has simple stricture that is easy to implement and tune. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy a three-area restructured power system is considered as a test system under different operating conditions and system nonlinearities. Analysis reveals that the TCPS is quite capable of suppressing the frequency and tie-line power oscillations effectively as compared to that obtained without TCPS for a wide range of plant parameter changes, area load demands and disturbances even in the presence of system nonlinearities.
Abstract: We introduce and study the class of weak almost Dunford-Pettis operators. As an application, we characterize Banach lattices with the weak Dunford-Pettis property. Also, we establish some sufficient conditions for which each weak almost Dunford-Pettis operator is weak Dunford-Pettis. Finally, we derive some interesting results.
Abstract: This paper deals with a delayed single population model on time scales. With the assistance of coincidence degree theory, sufficient conditions for existence of periodic solutions are obtained. Furthermore, the better estimations for bounds of periodic solutions are established.
Abstract: Current mode circuits like current conveyors are
getting significant attention in current analog ICs design due to their
higher band-width, greater linearity, larger dynamic range, simpler
circuitry, lower power consumption and less chip area. The second
generation current controlled conveyor (CCCII) has the advantage of
electronic adjustability over the CCII i.e. in CCCII; adjustment of the
X-terminal intrinsic resistance via a bias current is possible. The
presented approach is based on the CMOS implementation of second
generation positive (CCCII+), negative (CCCII-) and dual Output
Current Controlled Conveyor (DOCCCII) and its application as
Universal filter. All the circuits have been designed and simulated
using 65nm CMOS technology model parameters on Cadence
Virtuoso / Spectre using 1V supply voltage. Various simulations have
been carried out to verify the linearity between output and input
ports, range of operation frequency, etc. The outcomes show good
agreement between expected and experimental results.
Abstract: Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are direct searching
methods which require little information from design space. This
characteristic beside robustness of these algorithms makes them to be
very popular in recent decades. On the other hand, while this method
is employed, there is no guarantee to achieve optimum results. This
obliged designer to run such algorithms more than one time to
achieve more reliable results. There are many attempts to modify the
algorithms to make them more efficient. In this paper, by application
of fractal dimension (particularly, Box Counting Method), the
complexity of design space are established for determination of
mutation and crossover probabilities (Pm and Pc). This methodology
is followed by a numerical example for more clarification. It is
concluded that this modification will improve efficiency of GAs and
make them to bring about more reliable results especially for design
space with higher fractal dimensions.
Abstract: Fast development of technologies, economic globalization and many other external circumstances stimulate company’s competitiveness. One of the major trends in today’s business is the shift to the exploitation of the Internet and electronic environment for entrepreneurial needs. Latest researches confirm that e-environment provides a range of possibilities and opportunities for companies, especially for micro-, small- and medium-sized companies, which have limited resources. The usage of e-tools raises the effectiveness and the profitability of an organization, as well as its competitiveness.
In the electronic market, as in the classic one, there are factors, such as globalization, development of new technology, price sensitive consumers, Internet, new distribution and communication channels that influence entrepreneurship. As a result of eenvironment development, e-commerce and e-marketing grow as well.
Objective of the paper: To describe and identify factors influencing company’s competitiveness in e-environment.
Research methodology: The authors employ well-established quantitative and qualitative methods of research: grouping, analysis, statistics method, factor analysis in SPSS 20 environment, etc. The theoretical and methodological background of the research is formed by using scientific researches and publications, such as that from mass media and professional literature; statistical information from legal institutions as well as information collected by the authors during the surveying process.
Research result: The authors detected and classified factors influencing competitiveness in e-environment.
In this paper, the authors presented their findings based on theoretical, scientific, and field research. Authors have conducted a research on e-environment utilization among Latvian enterprises.
Abstract: There has been a growing emphasis in
communication management from simple coordination of
promotional tools to a complex strategic process. This study will
examine the current marketing communications and engagement
strategies used in addressing the key stakeholders. In the case of
fertilizer industry in Malaysia, there has been little empirical
research on stakeholder communication when major challenges
facing the modern corporation is the need to communicate its
identity, its values and products in order to distinguish itself from
competitors. The study will employ both quantitative and qualitative
methods and the use of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to
establish a causal relationship amongst the key factors of stakeholder
communication strategies and increment in consumers-
choice/acceptance and impact on financial performance. One of the
major contributions is a conceptual framework for communication
strategies and engagement in increasing consumers- acceptance level
and the firm-s financial performance.
Abstract: Using a force balanced translational-radial dynamics,
phase space of the moving single bubble sonoluminescence (m-
SBSL) in 85% wt sulfuric acid has been numerically calculated. This
phase space is compared with that of single bubble sonoluminescence
(SBSL) in pure water which has been calculated by using the mere
radial dynamics. It is shown that in 85% wt sulfuric acid, in a general
agreement with experiment, the bubble-s positional instability
threshold lays under the shape instability threshold. At the onset of
spatial instability of moving sonoluminescing (SL) bubble in 85%
wt sulfuric acid, temporal effects of the hydrodynamic force on the
bubble translational-radial dynamics have been investigated. The
appearance of non-zero history force on the moving SL bubble is
because of proper condition which was produced by high viscosity of
acid. Around the moving bubble collapse due to the rapid contraction
of the bubble wall, the inertial based added mass force overcomes the
viscous based history force and induces acceleration on the bubble
translational motion.
Abstract: With the presence of a uniform vertical magnetic field and suspended particles, thermocapillary instability in a horizontal liquid layer is investigated. The resulting eigenvalue is solved by the Galerkin technique for various basic temperature gradients. It is found that the presence of magnetic field always has a stability effect of increasing the critical Marangoni number.
Abstract: Polyurethanes (PURs) are very versatile polymeric
materials with a wide range of physical and chemical properties.
PURs have desirable properties such as high abrasion resistance, tear
strength, shock absorption, flexibility and elasticity. Although they
have relatively poor thermal stability, this can be improved by using
treated clay. Polyurethane/clay nanocomposites have been
synthesized from renewable sources. A polyol for the production of
polyurethane by reaction with an isocyanate was obtained by the
synthesis of palm oil-based oleic acid with glycerol. Dodecylbenzene
sulfonic acid (DBSA) was used as catalyst and emulsifier. The
unmodified clay (kunipia-F) was treated with cetyltrimethyl
ammonium bromide (CTAB-mont) and octadodecylamine (ODAmont).
The d-spacing in CTAB-mont and ODA-mont were 1.571 nm
and 1.798 nm respectively and larger than that of the pure-mont
(1.142 nm). The organoclay was completely intercalated in the
polyurethane, as confirmed by a wide angle x-ray diffraction
(WAXD) pattern.
The results showed that adding clay demonstrated better thermal
stability in comparison with the virgin polyurethane. Onset
degradation of pure PU is at 200oC, and is lower than that of the
CTAB-mont PU and ODA-mont PU which takes place at about
318oC and 330oC, respectively. The mechanical properties (including
the dynamic mechanical properties) of pure polyurethane (PU) and
PU/clay nanocomposites, were measured. The modified organoclay
had a remarkably beneficial effect on the strength and elongation at
break of the nanocomposites, which both increased with increasing
clay content with the increase of the tensile strength of more than
214% and 267% by the addition of only 5 wt% of the
montmorillonite CTAB-mont PU and ODA-mont PU, respectively.
Abstract: The results obtained after incorporating the competence “creativity" to the subject Technical Drawing of the first course of the Degree in Forestry, Technical University of Madrid, are presented in this study.At first, learning activities which could serve two functions at the same time -developing students- creativity and developing other specific competences of the subject- were considered. Besides, changes in the assessment procedure were made and a method which analyzes two aspects of the assessment of the competence creativity was established. On the one hand, the products are evaluated by analyzing the outcomes obtained by students in the essays suggested and by establishing a parameter to assess the creativity expressed in those essays. On the other, an assessment of the student is directly carried out through a psychometric test which has been previously chosen by the team.Moreover, these results can be applied to similar or could be of general application.
Abstract: Genetic algorithms (GAs) have been widely used for
global optimization problems. The GA performance depends highly
on the choice of the search space for each parameter to be optimized.
Often, this choice is a problem-based experience. The search space
being a set of potential solutions may contain the global optimum
and/or other local optimums. A bad choice of this search space
results in poor solutions. In this paper, our approach consists in
extending the search space boundaries during the GA optimization,
only when it is required. This leads to more diversification of GA
population by new solutions that were not available with fixed search
space boundaries. So, these dynamic search spaces can improve the
GA optimization performances. The proposed approach is applied to
power system stabilizer optimization for multimachine power system
(16-generator and 68-bus). The obtained results are evaluated and
compared with those obtained by ordinary GAs. Eigenvalue analysis
and nonlinear system simulation results show the effectiveness of the
proposed approach to damp out the electromechanical oscillation and
enhance the global system stability.
Abstract: In this paper, a new dependable algorithm based on an adaptation of the standard variational iteration method (VIM) is used for analyzing the transition from steady convection to chaos for lowto-intermediate Rayleigh numbers convection in porous media. The solution trajectories show the transition from steady convection to chaos that occurs at a slightly subcritical value of Rayleigh number, the critical value being associated with the loss of linear stability of the steady convection solution. The VIM is treated as an algorithm in a sequence of intervals for finding accurate approximate solutions to the considered model and other dynamical systems. We shall call this technique as the piecewise VIM. Numerical comparisons between the piecewise VIM and the classical fourth-order Runge–Kutta (RK4) numerical solutions reveal that the proposed technique is a promising tool for the nonlinear chaotic and nonchaotic systems.
Abstract: From the beginning of creation, human being has ever
fought against the ecosystem by changes has made in environment.
The most environmental changes on the nature have been done after
starting the concentrated life in the same region. Dams are one of the
most important buildings in water resources and transferring. These
buildings have been made from old times without access to
hydrological, hydraulically, hydro mechanical information. Dams
have positive and negative effects on environment. Constructing a
dam relatively causes equal ecological consequences. According to
different criteria, environmental effects of dams can lead short term
and long term damages. These effects may influence on the situation
and treatment of meteorology, biology, culture, ancient works, etc
and severely causes to change and complicate it. So considering
importance of positive effects of dam construction, it is necessary to
minimize negative environmental effects of dams to achieve a stable
development. In this article the considered effects and their solutions
in influencing on assessment of destructive environmental effects of
dams construction have been surveyed and presented.
Abstract: Robust nonlinear integrated navigation of GPS and
low cost MEMS is a hot topic of research these days. A robust filter
is required to cope up with the problem of unpredictable
discontinuities and colored noises associated with low cost sensors.
H∞ filter is previously used in Extended Kalman filter and Unscented
Kalman filter frame. Unscented Kalman filter has a problem of
Cholesky matrix factorization at each step which is a very unstable
operation. To avoid this problem in this research H∞ filter is
designed in Square root Unscented filter framework and found 50%
more robust towards increased level of colored noises.
Abstract: The paper presents the design of a mini-UAV attitude
controller using the backstepping method. Starting from the nonlinear
dynamic equations of the mini-UAV, by using the backstepping
method, the author of this paper obtained the expressions of the
elevator, rudder and aileron deflections, which stabilize the UAV, at
each moment, to the desired values of the attitude angles. The attitude
controller controls the attitude angles, the angular rates, the angular
accelerations and other variables that describe the UAV longitudinal
and lateral motions. To design the nonlinear controller, by using the
backstepping technique, the nonlinear equations and the Lyapunov
analysis have been directly used. The designed controller has been
implemented in Matlab/Simulink environment and its effectiveness
has been tested with a campaign of numerical simulations using data
from the UAV flight tests. The obtained results are very good and
they are better than the ones found in previous works.
Abstract: This paper proposes a solution to the motion planning
and control problem of car-like mobile robots which is required to
move safely to a designated target in a priori known workspace
cluttered with swarm of boids exhibiting collective emergent
behaviors. A generalized algorithm for target convergence and
swarm avoidance is proposed that will work for any number of
swarms. The control laws proposed in this paper also ensures
practical stability of the system. The effectiveness of the proposed
control laws are demonstrated via computer simulations of an
emergent behavior.
Abstract: The quality of a machined surface is becoming more and more important to justify the increasing demands of sophisticated component performance, longevity, and reliability. Usually, any machining operation leaves its own characteristic evidence on the machined surface in the form of finely spaced micro irregularities (surface roughness) left by the associated indeterministic characteristics of the different elements of the system: tool-machineworkpart- cutting parameters. However, one of the most influential sources in machining affecting surface roughness is the instantaneous state of tool edge. The main objective of the current work is to relate the in-process immeasurable cutting edge deformation and surface roughness to a more reliable easy-to-measure force signals using a robust non-linear time-dependent modeling regression techniques. Time-dependent modeling is beneficial when modern machining systems, such as adaptive control techniques are considered, where the state of the machined surface and the health of the cutting edge are monitored, assessed and controlled online using realtime information provided by the variability encountered in the measured force signals. Correlation between wear propagation and roughness variation is developed throughout the different edge lifetimes. The surface roughness is further evaluated in the light of the variation in both the static and the dynamic force signals. Consistent correlation is found between surface roughness variation and tool wear progress within its initial and constant regions. At the first few seconds of cutting, expected and well known trend of the effect of the cutting parameters is observed. Surface roughness is positively influenced by the level of the feed rate and negatively by the cutting speed. As cutting continues, roughness is affected, to different extents, by the rather localized wear modes either on the tool nose or on its flank areas. Moreover, it seems that roughness varies as wear attitude transfers from one mode to another and, in general, it is shown that it is improved as wear increases but with possible corresponding workpart dimensional inaccuracy. The dynamic force signals are found reasonably sensitive to simulate either the progressive or the random modes of tool edge deformation. While the frictional force components, feeding and radial, are found informative regarding progressive wear modes, the vertical (power) components is found more representative carrier to system instability resulting from the edge-s random deformation.