Abstract: Laboratory experiments have been performed to investigate photocatalytic detoxification by using TiO2 photocatalyst for treating dairy effluent. Various operational parameters such as catalyst concentration, initial concentration, angle of tilt of solar flat plate reactor and flow rate were investigated. Results indicated that the photocatalytic detoxification process can efficiently treat dairy effluent. Experimental runs with dairy wastewater can be used to identify the optimum operational parameters to perform wastewater degradation on large scale for recycling purpose. Also effect of two different types of reactors on degradation process was analyzed.
Abstract: Flow around a flat tube is studied numerically. Reynolds number is defined base on equivalent circular tube and it is varied in range of 100 to 300. Equations are solved by using finite volume method and results are presented in form of drag and lift coefficient. Results show that drag coefficient of flat tube is up to 66% lower than circular tube with equivalent diameter. In addition, by increasing l/D from 1 to 2, the drag coefficient of flat tube is decreased about 14-27%.
Abstract: To improve the efficiency of parametric studies or
tests planning the method is proposed, that takes into account all input parameters, but only a few simulation runs are performed to
assess the relative importance of each input parameter. For K input
parameters with N input values the total number of possible combinations of input values equals NK. To limit the number of runs,
only some (totally N) of possible combinations are taken into account. The sampling procedure Updated Latin Hypercube
Sampling is used to choose the optimal combinations. To measure the
relative importance of each input parameter, the Spearman rank
correlation coefficient is proposed. The sensitivity and the influence
of all parameters are analyzed within one procedure and the key
parameters with the largest influence are immediately identified.
Abstract: In this study, the reduction of Cr(VI) by use of scrap
iron, a cheap and locally available industrial waste, was investigated
in continuous system. The greater scrap iron efficiency observed for
the first two sections of the column filling indicate that most of the
reduction process was carried out in the bottom half of the column
filling. This was ascribed to a constant decrease of Cr(VI)
concentration inside the filling, as the water front passes from the
bottom to the top end of the column. While the bottom section of the
column filling was heavily passivated with secondary mineral phases,
the top section was less affected by the passivation process; therefore
the column filling would likely ensure the reduction of Cr(VI) for
time periods longer than 216 hours. The experimental results indicate
that fixed beds columns packed with scrap iron could be successfully
used for the first step of Cr(VI) polluted wastewater treatment.
However, the mass of scrap iron filling should be carefully estimated
since it significantly affects the Cr(VI) reduction efficiency.
Abstract: In this paper, a Gaussian multiple input multiple output multiple eavesdropper (MIMOME) channel is considered where a transmitter communicates to a receiver in the presence of an eavesdropper. We present a technique for determining the secrecy capacity of the multiple input multiple output (MIMO) channel under Gaussian noise. We transform the degraded MIMOME channel into multiple single input multiple output (SIMO) Gaussian wire-tap channels and then use scalar approach to convert it into two equivalent multiple input single output (MISO) channels. The secrecy capacity model is then developed for the condition where the channel state information (CSI) for main channel only is known to the transmitter. The results show that the secret communication is possible when the eavesdropper channel noise is greater than a cutoff noise level. The outage probability is also analyzed of secrecy capacity is also analyzed. The effect of fading and outage probability is also analyzed.
Abstract: Segmentation of a color image composed of different
kinds of regions can be a hard problem, namely to compute for an
exact texture fields. The decision of the optimum number of
segmentation areas in an image when it contains similar and/or un
stationary texture fields. A novel neighborhood-based segmentation
approach is proposed. A genetic algorithm is used in the proposed
segment-pass optimization process. In this pass, an energy function,
which is defined based on Markov Random Fields, is minimized. In
this paper we use an adaptive threshold estimation method for image
thresholding in the wavelet domain based on the generalized
Gaussian distribution (GGD) modeling of sub band coefficients. This
method called Normal Shrink is computationally more efficient and
adaptive because the parameters required for estimating the threshold
depend on sub band data energy that used in the pre-stage of
segmentation. A quad tree is employed to implement the multi
resolution framework, which enables the use of different strategies at
different resolution levels, and hence, the computation can be
accelerated. The experimental results using the proposed
segmentation approach are very encouraging.
Abstract: With the increasing spread of computers and the internet among culturally, linguistically and geographically diverse communities, issues of internationalization and localization and becoming increasingly important. For some of the issues such as different scales for length and temperature, there is a well-developed measurement theory. For others such as date formats no such theory will be possible. This paper fills a gap by developing a measurement theory for a class of scales previously overlooked, based on discrete and interval-valued scales such as spanner and shoe sizes. The paper gives a theoretical foundation for a class of data representation problems.
Abstract: This paper presents a software quality support tool, a
Java source code evaluator and a code profiler based on
computational intelligence techniques. It is Java prototype software
developed by AI Group [1] from the Research Laboratories at
Universidad de Palermo: an Intelligent Java Analyzer (in Spanish:
Analizador Java Inteligente, AJI). It represents a new approach to
evaluate and identify inaccurate source code usage and transitively,
the software product itself.
The aim of this project is to provide the software development
industry with a new tool to increase software quality by extending
the value of source code metrics through computational intelligence.
Abstract: In this paper a method for designing of nonlinear controller for a fuzzy model of Double Inverted Pendulum is proposed. This system can be considered as a fuzzy large-scale system that includes offset terms and disturbance in each subsystem. Offset terms are deterministic and disturbances are satisfied a matching condition that is mentioned in the paper. Based on Lyapunov theorem, a nonlinear controller is designed for this fuzzy system (as a model reference base) which is simple in computation and guarantees stability. This idea can be used for other fuzzy large- scale systems that include more subsystems Finally, the results are shown.
Abstract: Team efficacy beliefs show promise in enhancing
team performance. Using a model-based quantitative research design,
we investigated the antecedents and performance consequences of
generalized team efficacy (potency) in a sample of 56 capital projects
executed by 15 Fortune 500 companies in the process industries.
Empirical analysis of our field survey identified that generalized
team efficacy beliefs were positively associated with an objective
measure of project cost performance. Regression analysis revealed
that team competence, empowering leadership, and performance
feedback all predicted generalized team efficacy beliefs. Tests of
mediation revealed that generalized team efficacy fully mediated
between these three inputs and project cost performance.
Abstract: Megalopolis is a group of densely populated metropolitan areas that combine to form an urban complex. Since China introduced the economic reforms in late 1970s, the Chinese urban system has experienced unprecedented growth. The process of urbanisation prevailed in the 1980s, and the process of predominantly large city growth appeared to continue through 1990s and 2000s. In this study, the magnitude and pattern of urbanisation in China during 1990s were examined using remotely sensed imagery acquired by TM/ETM+ sensor onboard the Landsat satellites. The development of megalopolis areas in China was also studied based on the GIS analysis of the increases of urban and built-up area from 1990 to 2000. The analysis suggests that in the traditional agricultural zones in China, e.g., Huang-Huai-Hai Plains, Changjiang River Delta, Pearl River Delta and Sichuan Basin, the urban and built-up areas increased by 1.76 million hectares, of which 0.82 million hectares are expansion of urban areas, an increase of 24.78% compared with 1990 at the national scale. The Yellow River Delta, Changjiang River Delta and Pearl River Delta also saw an increase of urban and built-up area by 63.9%, 66.2% and 83.0% respectively. As a result, three major megalopolises were developed in China: the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong- Macau (Pearl River Delta: PRD) megalopolis area, the Shanghai- Nanjing-Hangzhou (Changjiang River Delta: CRD) megalopolis area and the Beijing-Tianjing-Tangshan-Qinhuangdao (Yellow River Delta-Bohai Sea Ring: YRD) megalopolis area. The relationship between the processed of megalopolisation and the inter-provincial population flow was also explored in the context of social-economic and transport infrastructure development in Post-reform China.
Abstract: Twenty four male Thai native × Anglo-Nubian
crossbred goats were randomly allocated to receive four treatments.
The experiment was conducted for four months and slaughtered that
the Longissimus dorsi muscle was collected for fatty acid analysis.
The results conclude that either castrated method or ages had no
significantly different on monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)
(P>0.05) except erucic acid (C22:1n9). Interaction between castrated
method and ages had significantly different in MUFA (P
Abstract: The toxicity of aqueous extracts of two plants,
Nicotiana tobacum and Eucalyptus globulus were investigated against second instar larvae of Lycoriella auripila, one of the most
important pests of button mushroom, using agar dilution technique.
Seven concentrations of aqueous extracts of both plants were applied
on second instar larvae and their mortality were evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 h. The obtained results revealed that aqueous extracts of N.
tabacum and E. globulus caused 77.55 and 72.5% mortality of larvae
of L. auripila at concentration of 4000 ppm after 72h, respectively. Toxicities of tobacco extract after 24, 48 and 72 h were 1.52, 1.85
and 1.70 times greather than eucalyptus, respectively. The estimated LC50 after 24, 48 and 72 h were 7316.5, 2468.5 and 2013.1 ppm for
tobacco and 64870.0, 6839.5 and 3326.4 ppm for eucalyptus, respectively. These plants merit further study as potential insecticides
for the control of L. auripila.
Abstract: This paper explains the development of Multifunctional Barcode Inventory Management System (MBIMS) to manage inventory and stock ordering. Today, most of the retailing market is still manually record their stocks and its effectiveness is quite low. By providing MBIMS, it will bring effectiveness to retailing market in inventory management. MBIMS will not only save time in recording input, output and refilling the inventory stock, but also in calculating remaining stock and provide auto-ordering function. This system is developed through System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and the flow and structure of the system is fully built based on requirements of a retailing market. Furthermore, this system has been developed from methodical research and study where each part of the system is vigilantly designed. Thus, MBIMS will offer a good solution to the retailing market in achieving effectiveness and efficiency in inventory management.
Abstract: Metal cutting is a severe plastic deformation process
involving large strains, high strain rates, and high temperatures.
Conventional analysis of the chip formation process is based on bulk
material deformation disregarding the inhomogeneous nature of the
material microstructure. A series of orthogonal cutting tests of AISI
1045 and 1144 steel were conducted which yielded similar process
characteristics and chip formations. With similar shear angles and cut
chip thicknesses, shear strains for both chips were found to range
from 2.0 up to 2.8. The manganese-sulfide (MnS) precipitate in the
1144 steel has a very distinct and uniform shape which allows for
comparison before and after chip formation. From close observations
of MnS precipitates in the cut chips it is shown that the conventional
approach underestimates plastic strains in metal cutting.
Experimental findings revealed local shear strains around a value of
6. These findings and their implications are presented and discussed.
Abstract: The assessment of the efficacy of devised Mobile-
Assisted Instructional Modes in Mobile Learning was the focus of
this research. The study adopted pre-test, post-test, control group
quasi-experimental design. Research instruments were developed,
validated and used for collecting data. Findings revealed that the
students exposed to Mobile Task Based Learning Mode (MTBLM) in
using Mobile-Assisted Instruction (MAI) performed significantly
better. The implication of these findings is that, the Audio tutorial
and Practice Mode (ATPM) (Stimulus instruments) of MAI had been
found better over the other modes used in the study.
Abstract: This paper investigates the indices of a creative city in
Isfahan. Its main aim is to evaluate quantitative status of the creative
city indices in Isfahan city, analyze the dispersion and distribution of
these indices in Isfahan city. Concerning these, this study tries to
analyze the creative city indices in fifteen area of Isfahan through
secondary data, questionnaire, TOPSIS model, Shannon entropy and
SPSS. Based on this, the fifteen areas of Isfahan city have been
ranked with 12 factors of creative city indices. The results of studies
show that fifteen areas of Isfahan city are not equally benefiting from
creative indices and there is much difference between the areas of
Isfahan city.
Abstract: detecting the deadlock is one of the important
problems in distributed systems and different solutions have been
proposed for it. Among the many deadlock detection algorithms,
Edge-chasing has been the most widely used. In Edge-chasing
algorithm, a special message called probe is made and sent along
dependency edges. When the initiator of a probe receives the probe
back the existence of a deadlock is revealed. But these algorithms are
not problem-free. One of the problems associated with them is that
they cannot detect some deadlocks and they even identify false
deadlocks. A key point not mentioned in the literature is that when
the process is waiting to obtain the required resources and its
execution has been blocked, how it can actually respond to probe
messages in the system. Also the question of 'which process should
be victimized in order to achieve a better performance when multiple
cycles exist within one single process in the system' has received
little attention. In this paper, one of the basic concepts of the
operating system - daemon - will be used to solve the problems
mentioned. The proposed Algorithm becomes engaged in sending
probe messages to the mandatory daemons and collects enough
information to effectively identify and resolve multi-cycle deadlocks
in distributed systems.
Abstract: The search for competitive advantages as one of the
main activities of a company has become a principle of contemporary
theories on Strategic Management. Innovation facilitates a company's
adaptation to the global competitive environment, representing the
important strategic role that it has to play in relation to managerial
performance and, as such, underlines the growing importance of
innovation and the use of a company's technological assets. This
paper therefore studies the effect in the results of four dimensions of
technological innovation strategy on a sample of Spanish wineries,
situated in the Castilla La-Mancha region of Spain, all of which are
registered under the La Mancha Designation of Origin (DO).
Abstract: The main thrust of this paper is to assess the level of disclosure in the annual reports of non-financial Greek firms and to empirically investigate the hypothesized impact of several firm characteristics on the extent of mandatory disclosure. A disclosure checklist consisting of 100 mandatory items was developed to assess the level of disclosure in the 2009 annual reports of 43 Greek companies listed at the Athens stock exchange. The association between the level of disclosure and some firm characteristics was examined using multiple linear regression analysis. The study reveals that Greek companies on general have responded adequately to the mandatory disclosure requirements of the regulatory bodies. The findings also indicate that firm size was significant positively associated with the level of disclosure. The remaining variables such as age, profitability, liquidity, and board composition were found to be insignificant in explaining the variation of mandatory disclosures. The outcome of this study is undoubtedly of great concern to the investment community at large to assist in evaluating the extent of mandatory disclosure by Greek firms and explaining the variation of disclosure in light of firm-specific characteristics.