Abstract: The great challenge of the agricultural sector is to
produce more crop from less water, which can be achieved by
increasing crop water productivity. The modernization of the
irrigation systems offers a number of possibilities to expand the
economic productivity of water and improve the virtual water status.
The objective of the present study is to assess the global water
productivity (GWP) within the major irrigation command areas of
I.R. Iran. For this purpose, fourteen irrigation command areas where
located in different areas of Iran were selected. In order to calculate
the global water productivity of irrigation command areas, all data on
the delivered water to cropping pattern, cultivated area, crops water
requirement, and yield production rate during 2002-2006 were
gathered. In each of the command areas it seems that the cultivated
crops have a higher amount of virtual water and thus can be replaced
by crops with less virtual water. This is merely suggested due to crop
water consumption and at the time of replacing crops, economic
value as well as cultural and political factors must be considered. The
results indicated that the lowest GWP belongs to Mahyar and
Borkhar irrigation areas, 0.24 kg m-3, and the highest is that of the
Dez irrigation area, 0.81 kg m-3. The findings demonstrated that
water management in the two irrigation areas is just efficient. The
difference in the GWP of irrigation areas is due to variations in the
cropping pattern, amount of crop productions, in addition to the
effective factors in the water use efficiency in the irrigation areas.
Abstract: The modified Claus process is the major technology
for the recovery of elemental sulfur from hydrogen sulfide. The
chemical reactions that can occur in the reaction furnace are
numerous and many byproducts such as carbon disulfide and carbon
carbonyl sulfide are produced. These compounds can often contribute
from 20 to 50% of the pollutants and therefore, should be hydrolyzed
in the catalytic converter. The inlet temperature of the first catalytic
reactor should be maintained over than 250 °C, to hydrolyze COS
and CS2. In this paper, the various configurations for the first
converter reheating of sulfur recovery unit are investigated. As a
result, the performance of each method is presented for a typical
clause unit. The results show that the hot gas method seems to be
better than the other methods.
Abstract: Three reactor types were explored and successfully
used for pigment production by Monascus: shake flasks, and shaken
and stirred miniaturized reactors. Also, the use of dielectric
spectroscopy for the on-line measurement of biomass levels was
explored. Shake flasks gave good pigment yields, but scale up is
difficult, and they cannot be automated. Shaken bioreactors were less
successful with pigment production than stirred reactors.
Experiments with different impeller speeds in different volumes of
liquid in the reactor confirmed that this is most likely due oxygen
availability. The availability of oxygen appeared to affect biomass
levels less than pigment production; red pigment production in
particular needed very high oxygen levels. Dielectric spectroscopy
was effectively used to continuously measure biomass levels during
the submerged fungal fermentation in the shaken and stirred
miniaturized bioreactors, despite the presence of the solid substrate
particles. Also, the capacitance signal gave useful information about
the viability of the cells in the culture.
Abstract: Computer networks are essential part in computerbased
information systems. The performance of these networks has a
great influence on the whole information system. Measuring the
usability criteria and customers satisfaction on small computer
network is very important. In this article, an effective approach for
measuring the usability of business network in an information system
is introduced. The usability process for networking provides us with a
flexible and a cost-effective way to assess the usability of a network
and its products. In addition, the proposed approach can be used to
certify network product usability late in the development cycle.
Furthermore, it can be used to help in developing usable interfaces
very early in the cycle and to give a way to measure, track, and
improve usability. Moreover, a new approach for fast information
processing over computer networks is presented. The entire data are
collected together in a long vector and then tested as a one input
pattern. Proposed fast time delay neural networks (FTDNNs) use
cross correlation in the frequency domain between the tested data and
the input weights of neural networks. It is proved mathematically and
practically that the number of computation steps required for the
presented time delay neural networks is less than that needed by
conventional time delay neural networks (CTDNNs). Simulation
results using MATLAB confirm the theoretical computations.
Abstract: This study systemizes processes and methods in
wooden furniture design that contains uniqueness in function and
aesthetics. The study was done by research and analysis for
designer-s consideration factors that affect function and production.
Therefore, the study result indicates that such factors are design
process (planning for design, product specifications, concept design,
product architecture, industrial design, production), design evaluation
as well as wooden furniture design dependent factors i.e. art (art
style; furniture history, form), functionality (the strength and
durability, area place, using), material (appropriate to function, wood
mechanical properties), joints, cost, safety, and social responsibility.
Specifically, all aforementioned factors affect good design. Resulting
from direct experience gained through user-s usage, the designer
must design the wooden furniture systemically and effectively. As a
result, this study selected dinning armchair as a case study with all
involving factors and all design process stated in this study.
Abstract: Cognitive Science appeared about 40 years ago,
subsequent to the challenge of the Artificial Intelligence, as common
territory for several scientific disciplines such as: IT, mathematics,
psychology, neurology, philosophy, sociology, and linguistics. The
new born science was justified by the complexity of the problems
related to the human knowledge on one hand, and on the other by the
fact that none of the above mentioned sciences could explain alone
the mental phenomena. Based on the data supplied by the
experimental sciences such as psychology or neurology, models of
the human mind operation are built in the cognition science. These
models are implemented in computer programs and/or electronic
circuits (specific to the artificial intelligence) – cognitive systems –
whose competences and performances are compared to the human
ones, leading to the psychology and neurology data reinterpretation,
respectively to the construction of new models. During these
processes if psychology provides the experimental basis, philosophy
and mathematics provides the abstraction level utterly necessary for
the intermission of the mentioned sciences.
The ongoing general problematic of the cognitive approach
provides two important types of approach: the computational one,
starting from the idea that the mental phenomenon can be reduced to
1 and 0 type calculus operations, and the connection one that
considers the thinking products as being a result of the interaction
between all the composing (included) systems. In the field of
psychology measurements in the computational register use classical
inquiries and psychometrical tests, generally based on calculus
methods. Deeming things from both sides that are representing the
cognitive science, we can notice a gap in psychological product
measurement possibilities, regarded from the connectionist
perspective, that requires the unitary understanding of the quality –
quantity whole. In such approach measurement by calculus proves to
be inefficient. Our researches, deployed for longer than 20 years,
lead to the conclusion that measuring by forms properly fits to the
connectionism laws and principles.
Abstract: Road industry has challenged the prospect of ecoconstruction. Pavements may fit within the framework of sustainable development. Hence, research implements assessments of conventional pavements impacts on environment in use of life cycle approach. To meet global, and often national, targets on pollution control, newly introduced pavement designs are under study. This is the case of Cyprus demonstration, which occurred within EcoLanes project work. This alternative pavement differs on concrete layer reinforced with tire recycling product. Processing of post-consumer tires produces steel fibers improving strength capacity against cracking. Thus maintenance works are relevantly limited in comparison to flexible pavement. This enables to be more ecofriendly, referenced to current study outputs. More specific, proposed concrete pavement life cycle processes emits 15 % less air pollutants and consumes 28 % less embodied energy than those of the asphalt pavement. In addition there is also a reduction on costs by 0.06 %.
Abstract: The study identified the sources of production
inefficiency of the farming sector in district Faisalabad in the Punjab
province of Pakistan. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique
was utilized at farm level survey data of 300 farmers for the year
2009. The overall mean efficiency score was 0.78 indicating 22
percent inefficiency of the sample farmers. Computed efficiency
scores were then regressed on farm specific variables using Tobit
regression analysis. Farming experience, education, access to
farming credit, herd size and number of cultivation practices showed
constructive and significant effect on the farmer-s technical
efficiency.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a geometric modeling of
illumination on the patterned image containing etching transistor. This
image is captured by a commercial camera during the inspection of
a TFT-LCD panel. Inspection of defect is an important process in the
production of LCD panel, but the regional difference in brightness,
which has a negative effect on the inspection, is due to the uneven
illumination environment. In order to solve this problem, we present
a geometric modeling of illumination consisting of an interpolation
using the least squares method and 3D modeling using bezier surface.
Our computational time, by using the sampling method, is shorter
than the previous methods. Moreover, it can be further used to correct
brightness in every patterned image.
Abstract: In the semiconductor manufacturing process, large
amounts of data are collected from various sensors of multiple
facilities. The collected data from sensors have several different characteristics
due to variables such as types of products, former processes
and recipes. In general, Statistical Quality Control (SQC) methods
assume the normality of the data to detect out-of-control states of
processes. Although the collected data have different characteristics,
using the data as inputs of SQC will increase variations of data,
require wide control limits, and decrease performance to detect outof-
control. Therefore, it is necessary to separate similar data groups
from mixed data for more accurate process control. In the paper,
we propose a regression tree using split algorithm based on Pearson
distribution to handle non-normal distribution in parametric method.
The regression tree finds similar properties of data from different
variables. The experiments using real semiconductor manufacturing
process data show improved performance in fault detecting ability.
Abstract: The extensive number of engineering drawing will be referred for planning process and the changes will produce a good engineering design to meet the demand in producing a new model. The advantage in reuse of engineering designs is to allow continuous product development to further improve the quality of product development, thus reduce the development costs. However, to retrieve the existing engineering drawing, it is time consuming, a complex process and are expose to errors. Engineering drawing file searching system will be proposed to solve this problem. It is essential for engineer and designer to have some sort of medium to enable them to search for drawing in the most effective way. This paper lays out the proposed research project under the area of information extraction in engineering drawing.
Abstract: Uranium mining and processing in Brazil occur in a
northeastern area near to Caetité-BA. Several Non-Governmental
Organizations claim that uranium mining in this region is a pollutant
causing health risks to the local population,but those in charge of the
complex extraction and production of“yellow cake" for generating
fuel to the nuclear power plants reject these allegations. This study
aimed at identifying potential problems caused by mining to the
population of Caetité. In this, work,the concentrations of 238U, 232Th
and 40K radioisotopes in the teeth of the Caetité population were
determined by ICP-MS. Teeth are used as bioindicators of
incorporated radionuclides. Cumulative radiation doses in the
skeleton were also determined. The concentration values were below
0.008 ppm, and annual effective dose due to radioisotopes are below
to the reference values. Therefore, it is not possible to state that the
mining process in Caetité increases pollution or radiation exposure in
a meaningful way.
Abstract: If organizations like Mellat Bank want to identify its
customer market completely to reach its specified goals, it can
segment the market to offer the product package to the right segment.
Our objective is to offer a segmentation model for Iran banking
market in Mellat bank view. The methodology of this project is
combined by “segmentation on the basis of four part-quality
variables" and “segmentation on the basis of different in means".
Required data are gathered from E-Systems and researcher personal
observation. Finally, the research offers the organization that at first
step form a four dimensional matrix with 756 segments using four
variables named value-based, behavioral, activity style, and activity
level, and at the second step calculate the means of profit for every
cell of matrix in two distinguished work level (levels α1:normal
condition and α2: high pressure condition) and compare the segments
by checking two conditions that are 1- homogeneity every segment
with its sub segment and 2- heterogeneity with other segments, and
so it can do the necessary segmentation process. After all, the last
offer (more explained by an operational example and feedback
algorithm) is to test and update the model because of dynamic
environment, technology, and banking system.
Abstract: The public sector losses are the major cause of stagnant growth of Pakistan. Public sector automotive manufacturing industry is one of the major contributors of these losses. This research has been carried out in order to identify the major barriers of productivity of this industry and suggest measures for improvement. This qualitative and quantitative research consisted of informal interviews, discussions augmented by closed ended questionnaire. Three major manufacturing units were chosen for this research and responses from 103 employees were collected. It was found out in this research that numerous productivity flaws exist in the system which requires immediate attention. Besides highlighting flaws this research also suggests corrective actions and areas for future research to overcome these problems.
Abstract: Evolutionary Programming (EP) represents a
methodology of Evolutionary Algorithms (EA) in which mutation is
considered as a main reproduction operator. This paper presents a
novel EP approach for Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) learning.
The proposed strategy consists of two components: the self-adaptive,
which contains phenotype information and the dynamic, which is
described by genotype. Self-adaptation is achieved by the addition of
a value, called the network weight, which depends on a total number
of hidden layers and an average number of neurons in hidden layers.
The dynamic component changes its value depending on the fitness
of a chromosome, exposed to mutation. Thus, the mutation step size
is controlled by two components, encapsulated in the algorithm,
which adjust it according to the characteristics of a predefined ANN
architecture and the fitness of a particular chromosome. The
comparative analysis of the proposed approach and the classical EP
(Gaussian mutation) showed, that that the significant acceleration of
the evolution process is achieved by using both phenotype and
genotype information in the mutation strategy.
Abstract: This paper covers various aspects of the Internet film
piracy. In order to successfully deal with this matter, it is needed to
recognize and explain various motivational factors related to film
piracy. Thus, this study proposes groups of economical, sociopsychological
and other factors that could motivate individuals
to engage in pirate activities. The paper also studies the interactions
between downloaders and uploaders and offers the causality of the
motivational factors and its effects on the film industry.
Moreover, the study also focuses on proposed scheme of relations
of downloading movies and the possible effect on box office
revenues.
Abstract: Consumer demand for products with low fat or sugar content and low levels of food additives, as well as cost factors, make exopolysaccharides (EPS) a viable alternative. EPS remain an interesting tool to modulate the sensory properties of yoghurt. This study was designed to evaluate EPS production potential of commercial yoghurt starter cultures (Yo-Flex starters: Harmony 1.0, TWIST 1.0 and YF-L902, Chr.Hansen, Denmark) and their influence on an apparent viscosity of yoghurt samples. The production of intracellularly synthesized EPS by different commercial yoghurt starters varies roughly from 144,08 to 440,81 mg/l. Analysing starters’ producing EPS, they showed large variations in concentration and supposedly composition. TWIST 1.0 had produced greater amounts of EPS in MRS medium and in yoghurt samples but there wasn’t determined significant contribution to development of texture as well as an apparent viscosity of the final product. YF-L902 and Harmony 1.0 starters differed considerably in EPS yields, but not in apparent viscosities (p>0.05) of the final yoghurts. Correlation between EPS concentration and viscosity of yoghurt samples was not established in the study.
Abstract: Spent petroleum catalyst from Korean petrochemical
industry contains trace amount of metals such as Ni, V and Mo.
Therefore an attempt was made to recover those trace metal using
bioleaching process. Different leaching parameters such as Fe(II)
concentration, pulp density, pH, temperature and particle size of
spent catalyst particle were studied to evaluate their effects on the
leaching efficiency. All the three metal ions like Ni, V and Mo
followed dual kinetics, i.e., initial faster followed by slower rate. The
percentage of leaching efficiency of Ni and V were higher than Mo.
The leaching process followed a diffusion controlled model and the
product layer was observed to be impervious due to formation of
ammonium jarosite (NH4)Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6. In addition, the lower
leaching efficiency of Mo was observed due to a hydrophobic coating
of elemental sulfur over Mo matrix in the spent catalyst.
Abstract: This paper presents an application of 5S lean technology to a production facility. Due to increased demand, high product variety, and a push production system, the plant has suffered from excessive wastes, unorganized workstations, and unhealthy work environment. This has translated into increased production cost, frequent delays, and low workers morale. Under such conditions, it has become difficult, if not impossible, to implement effective continuous improvement studies. Hence, the lean project is aimed at diagnosing the production process, streamlining the workflow, removing/reducing process waste, cleaning the production environment, improving plant layout, and organizing workstations. 5S lean technology is utilized for achieving project objectives. The work was a combination of both culture changes and tangible/physical changes on the shop floor. The project has drastically changed the plant and developed the infrastructure for a successful implementation of continuous improvement as well as other best practices and quality initiatives.
Abstract: Due to the environmental and price issues of current
energy crisis, scientists and technologists around the globe are
intensively searching for new environmentally less-impact form of
clean energy that will reduce the high dependency on fossil fuel.
Particularly hydrogen can be produced from biomass via thermochemical
processes including pyrolysis and gasification due to the
economic advantage and can be further enhanced through in-situ
carbon dioxide removal using calcium oxide. This work focuses on
the synthesis and development of the flowsheet for the enhanced
biomass gasification process in PETRONAS-s iCON process
simulation software. This hydrogen prediction model is conducted at
operating temperature between 600 to 1000oC at atmospheric
pressure. Effects of temperature, steam-to-biomass ratio and
adsorbent-to-biomass ratio were studied and 0.85 mol fraction of
hydrogen is predicted in the product gas. Comparisons of the results
are also made with experimental data from literature. The
preliminary economic potential of developed system is RM 12.57 x
106 which equivalent to USD 3.77 x 106 annually shows economic
viability of this process.