Abstract: This report examines the current state of human gait
simulator development based on the human hip joint model. This unit
will create a database of human gait types, useful for setting up and
calibrating Mechano devices, as well as the creation of new systems
of rehabilitation, exoskeletons and walking robots. The system has
many opportunities to configure the dimensions and stiffness, while
maintaining relative simplicity.
Abstract: This study aims to establish function point process
based on stochastic distribution. In order to demonstrate effectiveness
of the study we present a case study that it applies suggested method
on an automotive electrical and electronics system software
development based on Monte Carlo Simulation. It is expected that the
result of this paper is used as guidance for establishing function point
process in organizations and tools for helping project managers make
decisions correctly.
Abstract: This paper presents the development of a mobile
application for students at the Faculty of Information Technology,
Rangsit University (RSU), Thailand. RSU upgrades an enrollment
process by improving its information systems. Students can
download the RSU APP easily in order to access the RSU substantial
information. The reason of having a mobile application is to help
students to access the system regardless of time and place. The objectives of this paper include: 1. To develop an application
on iOS platform for those students at the Faculty of Information
Technology, Rangsit University, Thailand. 2. To obtain the students’
perception towards the new mobile app. The target group is those
from the freshman year till the senior year of the faculty of
Information Technology, Rangsit University. The new mobile application, called as RSU APP, is developed by
the department of Information Technology, Rangsit University. It
contains useful features and various functionalities particularly on
those that can give support to students. The core contents of the app
consist of RSU’s announcement, calendar, events, activities, and ebook.
The mobile app is developed on the iOS platform. The user
satisfaction is analyzed from the interview data from 81 interviewees
as well as a Google application like a Google form which 122
interviewees are involved. The result shows that users are satisfied
with the application as they score it the most satisfaction level at 4.67
SD 0.52. The score for the question if users can learn and use the
application quickly is high which is 4.82 SD 0.71. On the other hand,
the lowest satisfaction rating is in the app’s form, apps lists, with the
satisfaction level as 4.01 SD 0.45.
Abstract: As one of the convenient and noninvasive sensing
approaches, the automatic limb girth measurement has been applied
to detect intention behind human motion from muscle deformation.
The sensing validity has been elaborated by preliminary researches
but still need more fundamental studies, especially on kinetic
contraction modes. Based on the novel fabric strain sensors, a soft
and smart limb girth measurement system was developed by the
authors’ group, which can measure the limb girth in-motion.
Experiments were carried out on elbow isometric flexion and elbow
isokinetic flexion (biceps’ isokinetic contractions) of 90°/s, 60°/s, and
120°/s for 10 subjects (2 canoeists and 8 ordinary people). After
removal of natural circumferential increments due to elbow position,
the joint torque is found not uniformly sensitive to the limb
circumferential strains, but declining as elbow joint angle rises,
regardless of the angular speed. Moreover, the maximum joint torque
was found as an exponential function of the joint’s angular speed.
This research highly contributes to the application of the automatic
limb girth measuring during kinetic contractions, and it is useful to
predict the contraction level of voluntary skeletal muscles.
Abstract: The change of conditions for production companies in
high-wage countries is characterized by the globalization of
competition and the transition of a supplier´s to a buyer´s market. The
companies need to face the challenges of reacting flexibly to these
changes. Due to the significant and increasing degree of automation,
assembly has become the most expensive production process.
Regarding the reduction of production cost, assembly consequently
offers a considerable rationalizing potential. Therefore, an
aerodynamic feeding system has been developed at the Institute of
Production Systems and Logistics (IFA), Leibniz Universitaet
Hannover. This system has been enabled to adjust itself by using a
genetic algorithm. The longer this genetic algorithm is executed the
better is the feeding quality. In this paper, the relation between the
system´s setting time and the feeding quality is observed and a
function which enables the user to achieve the minimum of the total
feeding time is presented.
Abstract: This paper aimed to introduce the solution of concrete
slump recovery using chemical admixture type-F (superplasticizer,
naphthalene base) to the practice in order to solve unusable concrete
problem due to concrete loss its slump, especially for those tropical
countries that have faster slump loss rate. In the other hand, randomly
adding superplasticizer into concrete can cause concrete to segregate.
Therefore, this paper also develops the estimation model used to
calculate amount of second dose of superplasticizer need for concrete
slump recovery. Fresh properties of ordinary Portland cement
concrete with volumetric ratio of paste to void between aggregate
(paste content) of 1.1-1.3 with water-cement ratio zone of 0.30 to
0.67 and initial superplasticizer (naphthalene base) of 0.25%-1.6%
were tested for initial slump and slump loss for every 30 minutes for
one and half hour by slump cone test. Those concretes with slump
loss range from 10% to 90% were re-dosed and successfully
recovered back to its initial slump. Slump after re-dosed was tested
by slump cone test. From the result, it has been concluded that, slump
loss was slower for those mix with high initial dose of
superplasticizer due to addition of superplasticizer will disturb
cement hydration. The required second dose of superplasticizer was
affected by two major parameters, which were water-cement ratio
and paste content, where lower water-cement ratio and paste content
cause an increase in require second dose of superplasticizer. The
amount of second dose of superplasticizer is higher as the solid
content within the system is increase, solid can be either from cement
particles or aggregate. The data was analyzed to form an equation use
to estimate the amount of second dosage requirement of
superplasticizer to recovery slump to its original.
Abstract: The paper focuses on the benefits of business process
modeling. Although this discipline is developing for many years,
there is still necessity of creating new opportunities to meet the ever
increasing users’ needs. Because one of these needs is related to the
conversion of business process models from one standard to another,
the authors have developed a converter between BPMN and EPC
standards using workflow patterns as intermediate tool. Nowadays
there are too many systems for business process modeling. The
variety of output formats is almost the same as the systems
themselves. This diversity additionally hampers the conversion of the
models. The presented study is aimed at discussing problems due to
differences in the output formats of various modeling environments.
Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to assess the
sediment quality and potential ecological risk in marine sediments in
Gymea Bay located in south Sydney, Australia. A total of 32 surface
sediment samples were collected from the bay. Current track
trajectories and velocities have also been measured in the bay. The
resultant trace elements were compared with the adverse biological
effect values Effect Range Low (ERL) and Effect Range Median
(ERM) classifications. The results indicate that the average values of
chromium, arsenic, copper, zinc, and lead in surface sediments all
reveal low pollution levels and are below ERL and ERM values. The
highest concentrations of trace elements were found close to
discharge points and in the inner bay, and were linked with high
percentages of clay minerals, pyrite and organic matter, which can
play a significant role in trapping and accumulating these elements.
The lowest concentrations of trace elements were found to be on the
shoreline of the bay, which contained high percentages of sand
fractions. It is postulated that the fine particles and trace elements are
disturbed by currents and tides, then transported and deposited in
deeper areas. The current track velocities recorded in Gymea Bay had
the capability to transport fine particles and trace element pollution
within the bay. As a result, hydrodynamic measurements were able to
provide useful information and to help explain the distribution of
sedimentary particles and geochemical properties. This may lead to
knowledge transfer to other bay systems, including those in remote
areas. These activities can be conducted at a low cost, and are
therefore also transferrable to developing countries. The advent of
portable instruments to measure trace elements in the field has also
contributed to the development of these lower cost and easily applied
methodologies available for use in remote locations and low-cost
economies.
Abstract: In the past years electric mobility became part of a
public discussion. The trend to fully electrified vehicles instead of
vehicles fueled with fossil energy has notably gained momentum.
Today nearly every big car manufacturer produces and sells fully
electrified vehicles, but electrified vehicles are still not as competitive
as conventional powered vehicles. As the traction battery states the
largest cost driver, lowering its price is a crucial objective. In
addition to improvements in product and production processes a nonnegligible,
but widely underestimated cost driver of production can
be found in logistics, since the production technology is not
continuous yet and neither are the logistics systems. This paper presents an approach to evaluate cost factors on
different designs of load carrier systems. Due to numerous
interdependencies, the combination of costs factors for a particular
scenario is not transparent. This is effecting actions for cost reduction
negatively, but still cost reduction is one of the major goals for
simultaneous engineering processes. Therefore a concurrent and
phase appropriate cost valuation method is necessary to serve cost
transparency. In this paper the four phases of this cost valuation
method are defined and explained, which based upon a new approach
integrating the logistics development process in to the integrated
product and process development.
Abstract: With the introduction of cash-less society policy by
the Central Bank of Nigeria, the concept of e-banking services have
over the years’ experience a significant improvement. Today quite a
number of people are embracing e-banking activities especially
ATM, thereby moving away from the conventional banking system.
This paper presents a review of the underlying Architectural Layout
of Intra-Bank and Inter-Bank ATM connectivity in Nigeria. The
paper further investigates and discusses factors affecting the Intra-
Bank and Inter-Bank ATM connectivity in Nigeria. In addition, as
well possible solutions to these factors affecting ATM Connectivity
and Operations are proposed.
Abstract: Increase of emergency incidents and crisis situations
requires proactive crisis management of authorities and for its
solution. Application Business Continuity Management helps the
crisis management authorities to quickly and responsibly respond to
threats. It also helps effectively and efficiently planning powers and
resources. The main goal of this article is describing Military
Continuity Management System (MCMS) based on the principles of
Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) for dealing with
floods in the territory of the selected municipalities. There are
explained steps of loading, running and evaluating activities in the
software application MCMS. Software MCMS provides complete
control over the tasks, contribute a comprehensive and responsible
approach solutions to solution floods in the municipality.
Abstract: Ensuring of continuity of business is basic strategy of
every company. Continuity of organization activities includes
comprehensive procedures that help in solving unexpected situations
of natural and anthropogenic character (for example flood, blaze,
economic situations). Planning of continuity operations is a process
that helps identify critical processes and implement plans for the
security and recovery of key processes. The aim of this article is to
demonstrate application of system approach to managing business
continuity called business continuity management systems in military
issues. This article describes the life cycle of business continuity
management which is based on the established cycle PDCA (Plan-
Do-Check-Act). After this is carried out by activities which are
making by University of Defence during activation of forces and
means of the integrated rescue system in case of emergencies -
accidents at a nuclear power plant in Czech Republic. Activities of
various stages of deployment earmarked forces and resources are
managed and evaluated by using MCMS application (Military
Continuity Management System).
Abstract: The myocardium is composed of specialized muscle
which relies mainly on fatty acid and sugar metabolism and it is
widely contribute to the heart functioning. The changes of the cardiac
energy-producing system during heart failure have been proved using
autoradiography techniques. This study focused on evaluating sugar
and fatty acid metabolism in myocardium as cardiac energy getting
system using heart-accumulated radiopharmaceuticals. Two sets of
autoradiographs of heart cross sections of Lewis male rats were
analyzed and the time- accumulation curve obtained with use of the
MATLAB image processing software to evaluate fatty acid and sugar
metabolic functions.
Abstract: The goal of this paper is to specify factors influencing
the profitability of selected banks. Next, a model will be created to
help establish variables that have a demonstrable influence on the
development of the selected banks' profitability ratios. Czech banks
and their international parent companies were selected for analyzing
profitability. Banks categorized as large banks (according to the
Czech National Bank's system, which ranks banks according to
balance sheet total) were selected to represent the Czech banks. Two
ratios, the return on assets ratio (ROA) and the return on equity ratio
(ROE) are used to assess bank profitability. Six endogenous and four
external indicators were selected from among other factors that
influence bank profitability. The data analyzed were for 2001–2013.
First, correlation analysis, which was supposed to eliminate
correlated values, was conducted. A large number of correlated
values were established on the basis of this analysis. The strongly
correlated values were omitted. Despite this, the subsequent
regression analysis of profitability for the individual banks that were
selected did not confirm that the selected variables influenced their
profitability. The studied factors' influence on bank profitability was
demonstrated only for Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka and Société
Générale using regression analysis. For Československa Obchodni
Banka, it was demonstrated that inflation level and the amount of the
central bank's interest rate influenced the return on assets ratio and
that capital adequacy and market concentration influenced the return
on equity ratio for Société Générale.
Abstract: In this paper, approach to incoherent signal detection
in multi-element antenna array are researched and modeled. Two
types of useful signals with unknown wavefront were considered:
first one, deterministic (Barker code), and second one, random
(Gaussian distribution). The derivation of the sufficient statistics took
into account the linearity of the antenna array. The performance
characteristics and detecting curves are modeled and compared for
different useful signals parameters and for different number of
elements of the antenna array. Results of researches in case of some
additional conditions can be applied to a digital communications
systems.
Abstract: This paper introduces an effective method of
segmenting Korean text (place names in Korean) from a Korean road
sign image. A Korean advanced directional road sign is composed of
several types of visual information such as arrows, place names in
Korean and English, and route numbers. Automatic classification of
the visual information and extraction of Korean place names from the
road sign images make it possible to avoid a lot of manual inputs to a
database system for management of road signs nationwide. We
propose a series of problem-specific heuristics that correctly segments
Korean place names, which is the most crucial information, from the
other information by leaving out non-text information effectively. The
experimental results with a dataset of 368 road sign images show 96%
of the detection rate per Korean place name and 84% per road sign
image.
Abstract: Password authentication is one of the widely used
methods to achieve authentication for legal users of computers and
defense against attackers. There are many different ways to
authenticate users of a system and there are many password cracking
methods also developed. This paper proposes how best password
cracking can be performed on a CPU-GPGPU based system. The
main objective of this work is to project how quickly a password can
be cracked with some knowledge about the computer security and
password cracking if sufficient security is not incorporated to the
system.
Abstract: Project Portfolio Management (PPM) is an essential
component of an organisation’s strategic procedures, which requires
attention of several factors to envisage a range of long-term outcomes
to support strategic project portfolio decisions. To evaluate overall
efficiency at the portfolio level, it is essential to identify the
functionality of specific projects as well as to aggregate those
findings in a mathematically meaningful manner that indicates the
strategic significance of the associated projects at a number of levels
of abstraction. PPM success is directly associated with the quality of
decisions made and poor judgment increases portfolio costs. Hence,
various Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques have
been designed and employed to support the decision-making
functions. This paper reviews possible options to enhance the
decision-making outcomes in organisational portfolio management
processes using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) both from
academic and practical perspectives and will examine the usability,
certainty and quality of the technique. The results of the study will
also provide insight into the technical risk associated with current
decision-making model to underpin initiative tracking and strategic
portfolio management.
Abstract: The power electronic components within Electric Vehicles (EV) need to operate in several important modes. Some modes directly influence safety, while others influence vehicle performance. Given the variety of functions and operational modes required of the power electronics, it needs to meet efficiency requirements to minimize power losses. Another challenge in the control and construction of such systems is the ability to support bidirectional power flow. This paper considers the construction, operation, and feasibility of available converters for electric vehicles with feasible configurations of electrical buses and loads. This paper describes logic and control signals for the converters for different operations conditions based on the efficiency and energy usage bases.
Abstract: Considering the challenges of short product life cycles
and growing variant diversity, cost minimization and manufacturing
flexibility increasingly gain importance to maintain a competitive
edge in today’s global and dynamic markets. In this context, an
aerodynamic part feeding system for high-speed industrial assembly
applications has been developed at the Institute of Production
Systems and Logistics (IFA), Leibniz Universitaet Hannover. The
aerodynamic part feeding system outperforms conventional systems
with respect to its process safety, reliability, and operating speed. In
this paper, a multi-objective optimisation of the aerodynamic feeding
system regarding the orientation rate, the feeding velocity, and the
required nozzle pressure is presented.