Abstract: This paper is concerned with the existence of a linear copositive Lyapunov function(LCLF) for a special class of switched positive linear systems(SPLSs) composed of continuousand discrete-time subsystems. Firstly, by using system matrices, we construct a special kind of matrices in appropriate manner. Secondly, our results reveal that the Hurwitz stability of these matrices is equivalent to the existence of a common LCLF for arbitrary finite sets composed of continuous- and discrete-time positive linear timeinvariant( LTI) systems. Finally, a simple example is provided to illustrate the implication of our results.
Abstract: In the traditional concept of product life cycle management, the activities of design, manufacturing, and assembly are performed in a sequential way. The drawback is that the considerations in design may contradict the considerations in manufacturing and assembly. The different designs of components can lead to different assembly sequences. Therefore, in some cases, a good design may result in a high cost in the downstream assembly activities. In this research, an integrated design evaluation and assembly sequence planning model is presented. Given a product requirement, there may be several design alternative cases to design the components for the same product. If a different design case is selected, the assembly sequence for constructing the product can be different. In this paper, first, the designed components are represented by using graph based models. The graph based models are transformed to assembly precedence constraints and assembly costs. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach is presented by encoding a particle using a position matrix defined by the design cases and the assembly sequences. The PSO algorithm simultaneously performs design evaluation and assembly sequence planning with an objective of minimizing the total assembly costs. As a result, the design cases and the assembly sequences can both be optimized. The main contribution lies in the new concept of integrated design evaluation and assembly sequence planning model and the new PSO solution method. The test results show that the presented method is feasible and efficient for solving the integrated design evaluation and assembly planning problem. In this paper, an example product is tested and illustrated.
Abstract: M. Kemal Ataturk was a great leader who was fond of art and he had displayed his being fond of art many times. In his speeches and writings you can see that he had showed his approval to art and the importance of artists and art for the society. During the foundation of republic, he also wanted renovation in art as in other fields and ordered many novelties both in art and society. One of the greatest steps in realizing this was to prepare a national Turkish opera. In this study, it was studied how a Turkish opera, Özsoy was prepared in the context of social and political conditions of that time and what kind of processes it passed. As a result, it is seen that there was two main aims for Ataturk with this opera. First, Ataturk wanted to abolish the sectarian conflict between Iran and Turkey going on for centuries. The second and maybe the most important is that he wanted to make a revolution in the field of art and aimed to reach the level of civilized countries.
Abstract: This research aims at development of the Multiple
Intelligences Measurement of Elementary Students. The structural
accuracy test and normality establishment are based on the Multiple
Intelligences Theory of Gardner. This theory consists of eight aspects
namely linguistics, logic and mathematics, visual-spatial relations,
body and movement, music, human relations, self-realization/selfunderstanding
and nature. The sample used in this research consists
of elementary school students (aged between 5-11 years). The size of
the sample group was determined by Yamane Table. The group has
2,504 students. Multistage Sampling was used. Basic statistical
analysis and construct validity testing were done using confirmatory
factor analysis. The research can be summarized as follows; 1.
Multiple Intelligences Measurement consisting of 120 items is
content-accurate. Internal consistent reliability according to the
method of Kuder-Richardson of the whole Multiple Intelligences
Measurement equals .91. The difficulty of the measurement test is
between .39-.83. Discrimination is between .21-.85. 2). The Multiple
Intelligences Measurement has construct validity in a good range,
that is 8 components and all 120 test items have statistical
significance level at .01. Chi-square value equals 4357.7; p=.00 at the
degree of freedom of 244 and Goodness of Fit Index equals 1.00.
Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index equals .92. Comparative Fit Index
(CFI) equals .68. Root Mean Squared Residual (RMR) equals 0.064
and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation equals 0.82. 3). The
normality of the Multiple Intelligences Measurement is categorized
into 3 levels. Those with high intelligence are those with percentiles
of more than 78. Those with moderate/medium intelligence are those
with percentiles between 24 and 77.9. Those with low intelligence
are those with percentiles from 23.9 downwards.
Abstract: This paper describes the architecture for a collaborative Car Pooling System based on a credits mechanism to motivate the cooperation among users. Users can spend the accumulated credits on parking facilities. For this, we propose a business model to support the collaboration between a car pooling system and parking facilities. The Portuguese Lisbon-s Metropolitan area is used as application scenario.
Abstract: The main objectif of this paper is to present a tool that
we have developed subject to characterize and modelling indoor radio
channel propagation at millimetric wave. The tool is based on the
ray tracing technique (RTT). As, in realistic environment we cannot
neglect the significant impact of Human Body Shadowing and other
objects in motion on indoor 60 GHz propagation channel. Hence,
our proposed model allows a simulation of propagation in a dynamic
indoor environment. First, we describe a model of human body.
Second, RTT with this model is used to simulate the propagation
of millimeter waves in the presence of persons in motion. Results
of the simulation show that this tool gives results in agreement with
those reported in the literature. Specially, the effects of people motion
on temporal channel properties.
Abstract: The nickel and gold nanoclusters as supported
catalysts were analyzed by XAS, XRD and XPS in order to
determine their local, global and electronic structure. The present
study has pointed out a strong deformation of the local structure of
the metal, due to its interaction with oxide supports. The average
particle size, the mean squares of the microstrain, the particle size
distribution and microstrain functions of the supported Ni and Au
catalysts were determined by XRD method using Generalized Fermi
Function for the X-ray line profiles approximation. Based on EXAFS
analysis we consider that the local structure of the investigated
systems is strongly distorted concerning the atomic number pairs.
Metal-support interaction is confirmed by the shape changes of the
probability densities of electron transitions: Ni K edge (1s →
continuum and 2p), Au LIII-edge (2p3/2 → continuum, 6s, 6d5/2 and
6d3/2). XPS investigations confirm the metal-support interaction at
their interface.
Abstract: Some of the students' problems in writing skill stem
from inadequate preparation for the writing assignment. Students
should be taught how to write well when they arrive in language
classes. Having selected a topic, the students examine and explore the
theme from as large a variety of viewpoints as their background and
imagination make possible. Another strategy is that the students
prepare an Outline before writing the paper. The comparison between
the two mentioned thought provoking techniques was carried out
between the two class groups –students of Islamic Azad University of
Dezful who were studying “Writing 2" as their main course. Each
class group was assigned to write five compositions separately in
different periods of time. Then a t-test for each pair of exams between
the two class groups showed that the t-observed in each pair was
more than the t-critical. Consequently, the first hypothesis which
states those who utilize Brainstorming as a thought provoking
technique in prewriting phase are more successful than those who
outline the papers before writing was verified.
Abstract: Leptospirosis is recognized as an important zoonosis
in tropical regions well as an important animal disease with
substantial loss in production. In this study, the model for the
transmission of the Leptospirosis disease to human population are
discussed. Model is described the vector population dynamics and
the Leptospirosis transmission to the human population are
discussed. Local analysis of equilibria are given. We confirm the
results by using numerical results.
Abstract: This paper provides a key driver-based conceptual framework that can be used to improve a firm-s success in commercializing technology and in new product innovation resulting from collaboration with other organizations through strategic alliances. Based on a qualitative study using an interview approach, strategic alliances of entrepreneurs in the food processing industry in Thailand are explored. This paper describes factors affecting decisions to collaborate through alliances. It identifies four issues: maintaining the efficiency of the value chain for production capability, adapting to present and future competition, careful assessment of value of outcomes, and management of innovation. We consider five driving factors: resource orientation, assessment of risk, business opportunity, sharing of benefits and confidence in alliance partners. These factors will be of interest to entrepreneurs and policy makers with regard to further understanding of the direction of business strategies.
Abstract: 53 college students answered questions regarding the circumstances in which they first heard about the news of Wenchuan earthquake or the news of their acceptance to college which took place approximately one year ago, and answered again two years later. The number of details recalled about their circumstances for both events was high and didn-t decline two years later. However, consistency in reported details over two years was low. Participants were more likely to construct central (e.g., Where were you?) than peripheral information (What were you wearing?), and the confidence of the central information was higher than peripheral information, which indicated that they constructed more when they were more confident.
Abstract: The objectif of the present work is to determinate the
potential of the solar parabolic trough collector (PTC) for use in the
design of a solar thermal power plant in Algeria. The study is based
on a mathematical modeling of the PTC. Heat balance has been
established respectively on the heat transfer fluid (HTF), the absorber
tube and the glass envelop using the principle of energy conservation
at each surface of the HCE cross-sectionn. The modified Euler
method is used to solve the obtained differential equations. At first
the results for typical days of two seasons the thermal behavior of the
HTF, the absorber and the envelope are obtained. Then to determine
the thermal performances of the heat transfer fluid, different oils are
considered and their temperature and heat gain evolutions compared.
Abstract: A new fuzzy filter is presented for noise reduction of
images corrupted with additive noise. The filter consists of two
stages. In the first stage, all the pixels of image are processed for
determining noisy pixels. For this, a fuzzy rule based system
associates a degree to each pixel. The degree of a pixel is a real
number in the range [0,1], which denotes a probability that the pixel
is not considered as a noisy pixel. In the second stage, another fuzzy
rule based system is employed. It uses the output of the previous
fuzzy system to perform fuzzy smoothing by weighting the
contributions of neighboring pixel values. Experimental results are
obtained to show the feasibility of the proposed filter. These results
are also compared to other filters by numerical measure and visual
inspection.
Abstract: Water, soil and sediment contaminated with
metolachlor poses a threat to the environment and human health.
We determined the effectiveness of nano-zerovalent iron (NZVI) to
dechlorinate metolachlor [2-chloro-n-(2-ethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)-n-
(1-methoxypropan-2-yl)acetamide] in pH solution and the presence
of aluminium salt. The optimum dosage of degradation of 100 mlL-1
metolachlor was 1% (w/v) NZVI. The degradation kinetic rate (kobs)
was 0.218×10-3 min-1 and specific first-order rates (kSA) was
8.72×10-7 L m-2min-1. By treating aqueous solutions of metolachlor
with NZVI, metolachlor destruction rate were increased as the pH
decrease from 10 to 4. Lowering solution pH removes Fe (III)
passivating layers from the NZVI and makes it free for reductive
transformations. Destruction kinetic rates were 20.8×10-3 min-1 for
pH4, 18.9×10-3 min-1 for pH7, 13.8×10-3 min-1 for pH10. In addition,
destruction kinetic of metolachlor by NZVI was enhanced when
aluminium sulfate was added. The destruction kinetic rate were
20.4×10-3 min-1 for 0.05% Al(SO4)3 and 60×10-3 min-1 for 0.1%
Al(SO4)3.
Abstract: Because of increasing demands for security in today-s
society and also due to paying much more attention to machine
vision, biometric researches, pattern recognition and data retrieval in
color images, face detection has got more application. In this article
we present a scientific approach for modeling human skin color, and
also offer an algorithm that tries to detect faces within color images
by combination of skin features and determined threshold in the
model. Proposed model is based on statistical data in different color
spaces. Offered algorithm, using some specified color threshold, first,
divides image pixels into two groups: skin pixel group and non-skin
pixel group and then based on some geometric features of face
decides which area belongs to face.
Two main results that we received from this research are as follow:
first, proposed model can be applied easily on different databases and
color spaces to establish proper threshold. Second, our algorithm can
adapt itself with runtime condition and its results demonstrate
desirable progress in comparison with similar cases.
Abstract: Since the feasibility study of R&D programs have been
initiated for efficient public R&D investments, year 2008, feasibility
studies have improved in terms of precision. Although experience
related to these studies of R&D programs have increased to a certain
point, still methodological improvement is required. The feasibility
studies of R&D programs are consisted of various viewpoints, such as
technology, policy, and economics. This research is to provide
improvement methods to the economic perspective; especially the cost
estimation process of R&D activities. First of all, the fundamental
concept of cost estimation is reviewed. After the review, a statistical
and econometric analysis method is applied as empirical analysis.
Conclusively, limitations and further research directions are provided.
Abstract: This study investigates the relationships between
Work Motivation, Work Stress, and Job Satisfaction toward
cross-strait employees. The target subjects are three
manufacturing firms in Mainland China and Taiwan. Out of 450
distributed surveys, 352 valid surveys were obtained with the
response rate of 78.22%.The findings have addressed three main
pull factors toward cross-strait employees in choosing jobs, which
are (1) high level of firm stability, (2) good firm image, and (3)
good employee benefits. In addition, various employee attributes
exert different impacts on Work Motivation, Work Stress, and
Job Satisfaction. The comparison between expected and actual
perceived Job Satisfaction toward cross-strait employees shows
that “salary" ranks highest regarding expected Job Satisfaction
whereas “co-worker relationship" ranks highest regarding actual
perceived Job Satisfaction, which implies actual perceived Job
Satisfaction do not match employee expectations. Therefore, this
research further concludes that there exists differences between
employees- expected and actual perceived Job Satisfaction.
Abstract: The Artificial immune systems algorithms are Meta
heuristic optimization method, which are used for clustering and
pattern recognition applications are abundantly. These algorithms in
multimodal optimization problems are more efficient than genetic
algorithms. A major drawback in these algorithms is their slow
convergence to global optimum and their weak stability can be
considered in various running of these algorithms. In this paper,
improved Artificial Immune System Algorithm is introduced for the
first time to overcome its problems of artificial immune system. That
use of the small size of a local search around the memory antibodies
is used for improving the algorithm efficiently. The credibility of the
proposed approach is evaluated by simulations, and it is shown that
the proposed approach achieves better results can be achieved
compared to the standard artificial immune system algorithms
Abstract: Exclusive breastfeeding is the feeding of a baby on no other milk apart from breast milk. Exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life is very important as it supports optimal growth and development during infancy and reduces the risk of obliterating diseases and problems. Moreover, it helps to reduce the incidence and/or severity of diarrhea, lower respiratory infection and urinary tract infection. In this paper, we make a survey of the factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding and use two dispersed statistical models to analyze data. The models are the Generalized Poisson regression model and the Com-Poisson regression models.
Abstract: The request for a sustainable development challenges
both managers and consumers to rethink habitual practices and
activities. While consumers are challenged to develop sustainable
consumption patterns, companies are asked to establish managerial
systems and structures considering economical, ecological, and social
issues. As this is in particular true for housing associations, this paper
aims first, at providing an understanding of sustainability strategy in
residential trade and industry (RTI) by identifying relevant facets of
this construct and second, at conceptually analyzing the impact of
sustainability strategy in RTI on operational efficiency and
performance of municipal housing companies. The author develops a
model of sustainability strategy in RTI and its effects and further,
sheds light in priorities for future research.