Abstract: The development and application of wind power for
renewable energy has attracted growing interest in recent years. Renewable energy sources are attracting much alteration as they can
reduce both environmental damage and dependence on fossil fuels. With the growing need for sustainable energy supplies, a case is made
for decentralized, stand-alone power supplies (SAPS) as an alternative to power grids. In the era which traditional petroleum energy resource
decreasing and the green house affect significant increasing, the development and usage of regenerative resources is inevitable. Due to the contribution of the pioneers, the development of regenerative resources already has a remarkable achievement; however, in the view of economy and quantity, it is still a long road for regenerative energy
to replace traditional petroleum energy. In our prospective, in stead of
investigate larger regenerative energy equipment, it is much wiser to
think about the blind side and breakthrough of the current technique.
Abstract: Eight steel reinforced concrete beams (SRC), were
fabricated and tested under earthquake type cyclic loading. The
effectiveness of intermediate stiffeners, such as mid-span stiffener and
plastic hinge zone stiffeners, in enhancing composite action and
ductility of SRC beams was investigated. The effectiveness of
strengthened beam-to-column (SBC) and weakened beam-to-column
(WBC) connections in enhancing beam ductility was also studied. It
was found that: (1) All the specimens possessed fairly high flexural
ductility and were found adequate for structures in high seismic zones.
(2) WBC connections induced stress concentration which caused extra
damage to concrete near the flange tapering zone. This extra damage
inhibited the flexural strength development and the ductility of the
specimens with WBC connections to some extent. (3) Specimens with
SBC connections demonstrated higher flexural strength and ductility
compared to specimens with WBC connections. (4) The intermediate
stiffeners, especially combination of plastic hinge zone stiffener and
mid span stiffeners, have an obvious effect in enhancing the ductility
of the beams with SBC connection.
Abstract: Hyperglycaemia is a key factor that contributes to the
development of diabetes-related microvascular disease and a major
risk factor for endothelial dysfunction. In the current study, we have
explored glucose-induced abnormal intracellular calcium (Ca2+
i)
homeostasis in mouse microvessel endothelial cells (MMECs) in
high glucose (HG) (40mmol/L) versus control (low glucose, LG) (11
mmol/L). We demonstrated that the exposure of MMECs to HG for 3
days did not change basal Ca2+
i, however, there was a significant
increase of acetylcholine-induced Ca2+ entry. Western blots
illustrated that exposure to HG also increased STIM1 (Stromal
Interaction Molecule 1), but not Orai1 (the pore forming subunit),
protein expression levels. Although the link between HG-induced
changes in STIM1 expression, enhanced Ca2+ entry and endothelial
dysfunction requires further study, the current data are suggestive
that targeting these pathways may reduce the impact of HG on
endothelial function.
Abstract: This paper presents a new color face image database
for benchmarking of automatic face detection algorithms and human
skin segmentation techniques. It is named the VT-AAST image
database, and is divided into four parts. Part one is a set of 286 color
photographs that include a total of 1027 faces in the original format
given by our digital cameras, offering a wide range of difference in
orientation, pose, environment, illumination, facial expression and
race. Part two contains the same set in a different file format. The
third part is a set of corresponding image files that contain human
colored skin regions resulting from a manual segmentation
procedure. The fourth part of the database has the same regions
converted into grayscale. The database is available on-line for
noncommercial use. In this paper, descriptions of the database
development, organization, format as well as information needed for
benchmarking of algorithms are depicted in detail.
Abstract: The counter flow solar air heaters, with four
transverse fins and wire mesh layers are constructed and investigated
experimentally for thermal efficiency at a geographic location of
Cyprus in the city of Famagusta. The absorber plate is replaced by
sixteen steel wire mesh layers, 0.18 x 0.18cm in cross section
opening and a 0.02cm in diameter. The wire mesh layers arranged in
three groups, first and second include 6 layers, while the third include
4 layers. All layers fixed in the duct parallel to the glazing and each
group separated from the others by wood frame thickness of 0.5cm to
reduce the pressure drop. The transverse fins arranged in a way to
force the air to flow through the bed like eight letter path with flow
depth 3cm. The proposed design has increased the heat transfer rate,
but on other hand causes a high pressure drop. The obtained results
show that, for air mass flow rate range between 0.011-0.036kg/s, the
thermal efficiency increases with increasing the air mass flow. The
maximum efficiency obtained is 65.6% for the mass flow rate of
0.036kg/s. Moreover, the temperature difference between the outlet
flow and the ambient temperature, ΔT, reduces as the air mass flow
rate increase. The maximum difference between the outlet and
ambient temperature obtained was 43°C for double pass for minimum
mass flow rate of 0.011kg/s. Comparison with a conventional solar
air heater collector shows a significantly development in the thermal
efficiency.
Abstract: In manufacturing industries, development of measurement leads to increase the number of monitoring variables and eventually the importance of multivariate control comes to the fore. Statistical process control (SPC) is one of the most widely used as multivariate control chart. Nevertheless, SPC is restricted to apply in processes because its assumption of data as following specific distribution. Unfortunately, process data are composed by the mixture of several processes and it is hard to estimate as one certain distribution. To alternative conventional SPC, therefore, nonparametric control chart come into the picture because of the strength of nonparametric control chart, the absence of parameter estimation. SVDD based control chart is one of the nonparametric control charts having the advantage of flexible control boundary. However,basic concept of SVDD has been an oversight to the important of data characteristic, density distribution. Therefore, we proposed DW-SVDD (Density Weighted SVDD) to cover up the weakness of conventional SVDD. DW-SVDD makes a new attempt to consider dense of data as introducing the notion of density Weight. We extend as control chart using new proposed SVDD and a simulation study of various distributional data is conducted to demonstrate the improvement of performance.
Abstract: Decision Support System (DSS) are interactive
software systems that are built to assist the management of an
organization in the decision making process when faced with nonroutine
problems in a specific application domain. Non-functional
requirements (NFRs) for a DSS deal with the desirable qualities and
restrictions that the DSS functionalities must satisfy. Unlike the
functional requirements, which are tangible functionalities provided
by the DSS, NFRs are often hidden and transparent to DSS users but
affect the quality of the provided functionalities. NFRs are often
overlooked or added later to the system in an ad hoc manner, leading
to a poor overall quality of the system. In this paper, we discuss the
development of NFRs as part of the requirements engineering phase
of the system development life cycle of DSSs. To help eliciting
NFRs, we provide a comprehensive taxonomy of NFRs for DSSs.
Abstract: This paper presents the development of a hybrid
thermal model for the EVO Electric AFM 140 Axial Flux Permanent
Magnet (AFPM) machine as used in hybrid and electric vehicles. The
adopted approach is based on a hybrid lumped parameter and finite
difference method. The proposed method divides each motor
component into regular elements which are connected together in a
thermal resistance network representing all the physical connections
in all three dimensions. The element shape and size are chosen
according to the component geometry to ensure consistency. The
fluid domain is lumped into one region with averaged heat transfer
parameters connecting it to the solid domain. Some model parameters
are obtained from Computation Fluid Dynamic (CFD) simulation and
empirical data. The hybrid thermal model is described by a set of
coupled linear first order differential equations which is discretised
and solved iteratively to obtain the temperature profile. The
computation involved is low and thus the model is suitable for
transient temperature predictions. The maximum error in temperature
prediction is 3.4% and the mean error is consistently lower than the
mean error due to uncertainty in measurements. The details of the
model development, temperature predictions and suggestions for
design improvements are presented in this paper.
Abstract: This paper examines the role of telecommunications in sustainable development of urban, rural and remote communities in the Northern Territory of Australia through the theoretical lens of Social Capital. Social Capital is a relatively new construct and is rapidly gaining interest among policy makers, politicians and researchers as a means to both describe and understand social and economic development. Increasingly, the concept of Social Capital, as opposed to the traditional economic indicators, is seen as a more accurate measure of well-being. Whilst the essence of Social Capital is quality social relations, the concept intersects with telecommunications and Information Communications Technology (ICT) in a number of ways. The potential of ICT to disseminate information quickly, to reach vast numbers of people simultaneously and to include the previously excluded, is immense. However, the exact nature of the relationship is not clearly defined. This paper examines the nexus between social relations of mutual benefit, telecommunications access and sustainable development. A mixed methodological approach was used to test the hypothesis that No relationship exists between Social Capital and access to telecommunications services and facilities. Four communities, which included two urban, a rural and a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory of Australia are the focus of this research paper.
Abstract: Image segmentation is an important step in image
processing. Major developments in medical imaging allow
physicians to use potent and non-invasive methods in order to
evaluate structures, performance and to diagnose human diseases. In
this study, an active contour was used to extract vessel networks
from color retina images. Automatic analysis of retina vessels
facilitates calculation of arterial index which is required to diagnose
some certain retinopathies.
Abstract: This research aimed to develop plasma system used in air conditioners. This developed plasma system could be installed in the air conditioners - all split type. The quality of air could be improved to be equal to present plasma system. Development processes were as follows: 1) to study the plasma system used in the air conditioners, 2) to design a plasma generator, 3) to develop the plasma generator, and 4) to test its performance in many types of the air conditioners. This plasma system was developed by AC high voltage – 14 kv with a frequency of 50 kHz. Carbon was a conductor to generate arc in air purifier system. The research was tested by installing the plasma generator in the air conditioners - wall type. Whereas, there were 3 types of installations: air flow out, air flow in, and room center. The result of the plasma generator installed in the air conditioners, split type, revealed that the air flow out installation provided the highest average of o-zone at 223 mg/h. This type of installation provided the highest efficiency of air quality improvement. Moreover, the air flow in installation and the room center installation provided the average of the o-zone at 163 mg/h and 64 mg/h, respectively.
Abstract: Among many agro- based cottage industries in India
sericulture has been promoted as an agro-based, labor intensive, rural
oriented cottage industry, providing gainful employment mainly to
the weaker and marginalized section of the society specially tribal.
Sericulture occupies the place of pride in the rural economy can be
practiced even with very low land holding, low gestation, high
returns make sericulture an ideal program, requiring little capital
investment. In 2010-2011 the employment in sericulture sector was
72.5 lakh persons. The involvement of landless rural people in tasar
sericulture is because they understood its potential for rural and tribal
upliftment. This article demonstrates that certain developmental
initiatives have been playing an important role in the socio-economic
progress of tribal masses in Raigarh district and explains the
increased returns from sericulture as a result of development
programs. The study concludes with some suggestions to improve the
long term feasibility of sericulture.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the
demographic differences of international tourists according to three
main factors, including the value of time, shopping behavior and
shopping motivation. The Chatuchak Weekend Market is known as
one of the biggest weekend markets in the world. Too little academic
studies had been conducted in this area of weekend market, despite its
growth and continuous development. In general, both domestic
visitors and international tourists are attracted to the perception of
cheap and bargaining prices the weekend market. However, systematic
research study can provide reliable understanding of the perception of
the visitors.
This study focused on the group of international tourists who visited
the market and aimed to provide better insights based on the
differences in their demographic factors. Findings indicated that
several differences in value of time, shopping behavior, and shopping
motivation were identified by gender, income and age. Research
implications and directions for further studies were discussed.
Abstract: A spatial analysis of a large 20th century urban settlement (town/city) easily presents the celebrated central Business District (CBD). Theories of Urban Land Economics have easily justified and attempted to explain the existence of such a district activity area within the cityscape. This work examines the gradual emergence and development of the CBD in Lafia Town, Nigeria over 20 years and the attended urban problems caused by its emergence. Personal knowledge and observation of land use change are the main sources of data for the work, with unstructured interview with residents. The result are that the absence of a co-ordinate land use plan for the town, multi-nuclei nature, and regional location of surrounding towns have affected the growth pattern, hence the CBD. Traffic congestion, dispersed CBD land uses are some of the urban planning problems. The work concludes by advocating for integrating CBD uses.
Abstract: For the past couple of decades Weak signal detection
is of crucial importance in various engineering and scientific
applications. It finds its application in areas like Wireless
communication, Radars, Aerospace engineering, Control systems and
many of those. Usually weak signal detection requires phase sensitive
detector and demodulation module to detect and analyze the signal.
This article gives you a preamble to intrusion detection system which
can effectively detect a weak signal from a multiplexed signal. By
carefully inspecting and analyzing the respective signal, this
system can successfully indicate any peripheral intrusion. Intrusion
detection system (IDS) is a comprehensive and easy approach
towards detecting and analyzing any signal that is weakened and
garbled due to low signal to noise ratio (SNR). This approach
finds significant importance in applications like peripheral security
systems.
Abstract: This paper is an exploration of the conceptual
confusion between E-learning and M-learning particularly in Africa.
Section I provides a background to the development of E-learning
and M-learning. Section II focuses on the conceptual analysis as it
applies to Africa. It is with an investigative and expansive mind that
this paper is elaborated to respond to a profound question of the
suitability of the concepts in a particular era in Africa. The aim of this
paper is therefore to shed light on which concept best suits the unique
situation of Africa in the era of cloud computing.
Abstract: Sustainable development is a concept which was
originated in Burtland commission in 1978. Although this concept
was born with environmental aspects, it is penetrated in all areas
rapidly, turning into a dominate view of planning. Concentrating on
future generation issue, especially when talking about heritage has a
long story. Each approach with all of its characteristics illustrates
differences in planning, hence planning always reflects the dominate
idea of its age. This paper studies sustainable development in
planning for historical cities with the aim of finding ways to deal
with heritage in planning for historical cities in Iran. Through this, it
will be illustrated how challenges between sustainable concept and
heritage could be concluded in planning.
Consequently, the paper will emphasize on:
Sustainable development in city planning
Trends regarding heritage
Challenges due to planning for historical cities in Iran
For the first two issues, documentary method regarding the
sustainable development and heritage literature is considered. As the
next step focusing on Iranian historical cities require considering the
urban planning and management structure and identifying the main
challenges related to heritage, so analyzing challenges regarding
heritage is considered. As the result it would be illustrated that key
issue in such planning is active conservation to improve and use the
potential of heritage while it's continues conservation is guaranteed.
By emphasizing on the planning system in Iran it will be obvious that
some reforms are needed in this system and its way of relating with
heritage. The main weakness in planning for historical cities in Iran
is the lack of independent city management. Without this factor
achieving active conservation as the main factor of sustainable
development would not be possible.
Abstract: The area of Project Risk Management (PRM) has
been extensively researched, and the utilization of various tools and
techniques for managing risk in several industries has been
sufficiently reported. Formal and systematic PRM practices have
been made available for the construction industry. Based on such
body of knowledge, this paper tries to find out the global picture of
PRM practices and approaches with the help of a survey to look into
the usage of PRM techniques and diffusion of software tools, their
level of maturity, and their usefulness in the construction sector.
Results show that, despite existing techniques and tools, their usage is
limited: software tools are used only by a minority of respondents
and their cost is one of the largest hurdles in adoption. Finally, the
paper provides some important guidelines for future research
regarding quantitative risk analysis techniques and suggestions for
PRM software tools development and improvement.
Abstract: Traditional development of wireless sensor network
mote is generally based on SoC1 platform. Such method of
development faces three main drawbacks: lack of flexibility in terms
of development due to low resource and rigid architecture of SoC;
low capability of evolution and portability versus performance if
specific micro-controller architecture features are used; and the rapid
obsolescence of micro-controller comparing to the long lifetime of
power plants or any industrial installations. To overcome these
drawbacks, we have explored a new approach of development of
wireless sensor network mote using a hybrid FPGA technology. The
application of such approach is illustrated through the
implementation of an innovative wireless sensor network protocol
called OCARI.
Abstract: Traditionally, wind tunnel models are made of metal
and are very expensive. In these years, everyone is looking for ways
to do more with less. Under the right test conditions, a rapid
prototype part could be tested in a wind tunnel. Using rapid prototype
manufacturing techniques and materials in this way significantly
reduces time and cost of production of wind tunnel models. This
study was done of fused deposition modeling (FDM) and their ability
to make components for wind tunnel models in a timely and cost
effective manner. This paper discusses the application of wind tunnel
model configuration constructed using FDM for transonic wind
tunnel testing. A study was undertaken comparing a rapid
prototyping model constructed of FDM Technologies using
polycarbonate to that of a standard machined steel model. Testing
covered the Mach range of Mach 0.3 to Mach 0.75 at an angle-ofattack
range of - 2° to +12°. Results from this study show relatively
good agreement between the two models and rapid prototyping
Method reduces time and cost of production of wind tunnel models.
It can be concluded from this study that wind tunnel models
constructed using rapid prototyping method and materials can be
used in wind tunnel testing for initial baseline aerodynamic database
development.