Abstract: Studies on residential satisfaction have been actively
discussed under family house setting. However, limited studies have
been conducted on student residential satisfaction. This study is an
attempt to fill the research gap. It focuses on the influence of socioeconomic
on students- satisfaction with the universities- student
housing facilities. The students who stayed at the on-campus student
housing were the respondents. This study employed two-stage cluster
sampling method in classifying the respondents. Self-administered
questionnaires were distributed face-to-face to the students. In
general, it is confirmed that students- socio-economic backgrounds
have influence on the students- satisfaction with their housing
facilities. The main influential factors were the students- economic
status, sense of sharing, and ethnicity of their roommates.
Furthermore, this study could also provide a useful feedback for the
universities in order to improve their student housing facilities.
Abstract: Kuwait-s electric power system is vertically integrated
organization owned and operated by the government. For more than
five decades, the government of Kuwait has provided relatively
reliable electric services to consumers with subsidized electric
service fees. Given the country-s rapid socio-economical
development and consequently the increase of electricity demand, a
question that inflicts itself: Is it necessary to reform the power system
to face the fast growing demand? This paper recommends that the
government should consider the private sector as a partner in
operating the power system. Therefore, power system restructuring is
needed to allow such partnership. There are challenges that prevent
such restructuring. Abstract recommendations toward resolving these
challenges are proposed.
Abstract: Intelligent schools are those which use IT devices and
technologies as media software, hardware and networks to improve
learning process. On the other hand management improvement is
best described as the process from which managers learn and improve
their skills not only to benefit themselves but also their employing
organizations Here, we present a model Management improvement
System that has been applied on some schools and have made strict
improvement.
Abstract: Quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) from
atmospheric model as input to hydrological model in an integrated
hydro-meteorological flood forecasting system has been operational
in many countries worldwide. High-resolution numerical weather
prediction (NWP) models with grid cell sizes between 2 and 14 km
have great potential in contributing towards reasonably accurate QPF.
In this study the potential of two NWP models to forecast
precipitation for a flood-prone area in a tropical region is examined.
The precipitation forecasts produced from the Fifth Generation Penn
State/NCAR Mesoscale (MM5) and Weather Research and
Forecasting (WRF) models are statistically verified with the observed
rain in Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia. The statistical verification
indicates that the models have performed quite satisfactorily for low
and moderate rainfall but not very satisfactory for heavy rainfall.
Abstract: This study aims to explore the differences and
similarities in perceptions of affective climate antecedents at the
workplace (intimacy, flexibility, employment stability, and team)
among Japanese and Thai Generations X and Y. The samples in this
study were Thai and Japanese workers who completed a work
environment questionnaire and provided demographic information.
Generational differences in perceptions (beliefs) of what factors
contribute to affective climate were investigated using t-test analysis.
Mean scores for each antecedent were ranked to determine how each
generation in each group prioritized the importance of all affective
climate antecedents. Japanese Generation Y perceived the importance
of employment stability for affective climate of their workplaces to be
significantly higher than did Japanese Generation X. Thai Generation
Y considered flexibility with a higher priority than did Thai
Generation X. Intimacy was perceived as highly important across
generations and countries in regard to affective climate. Results
suggest that managers should design workplaces for a mixture of
diverse generations, resulting in a better affective climate. Differences
in the importance of antecedents for affective climate among
Generations X and Y in two countries were clarified. In addition,
different preferences regarding work environment across Japanese
Generations X and Y and Thai Generations X and Y were discussed.
Abstract: This paper discusses the performance modeling and availability analysis of Yarn Dyeing System of a Textile Industry. The Textile Industry is a complex and repairable engineering system. Yarn Dyeing System of Textile Industry consists of five subsystems arranged in series configuration. For performance modeling and analysis of availability, a performance evaluating model has been developed with the help of mathematical formulation based on Markov-Birth-Death Process. The differential equations have been developed on the basis of Probabilistic Approach using a Transition Diagram. These equations have further been solved using normalizing condition in order to develop the steady state availability, a performance measure of the system concerned. The system performance has been further analyzed with the help of decision matrices. These matrices provide various availability levels for different combinations of failure and repair rates for various subsystems. The findings of this paper are therefore, considered to be useful for the analysis of availability and determination of the best possible maintenance strategies which can be implemented in future to enhance the system performance.
Abstract: ERP systems are often supposed to be implemented
and deployed in multi-national companies. On the other hand, an
ERP developer may plan to market and sale its product in various
countries. Therefore, an EPR system should have the ability to
communicate with its users, who usually have different languages
and cultures, in a suitable way. EPR support of Multilanguage
capability is a solution to achieve this objective. In this paper, an
agent oriented architecture including several independent but
cooperative agents has been suggested that helps to implement
Multilanguage EPR systems.
Abstract: This paper analyzes the patterns of the Monte Carlo
data for a large number of variables and minterms, in order to
characterize the circuit path length behavior. We propose models
that are determined by training process of shortest path length
derived from a wide range of binary decision diagram (BDD)
simulations. The creation of the model was done use of feed forward
neural network (NN) modeling methodology. Experimental results
for ISCAS benchmark circuits show an RMS error of 0.102 for the
shortest path length complexity estimation predicted by the NN
model (NNM). Use of such a model can help reduce the time
complexity of very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuitries and
related computer-aided design (CAD) tools that use BDDs.
Abstract: Lack of resources for road infrastructure financing is a
problem that currently affects not only eastern European economies
but also many other countries especially in relation to the impact of
global financial crisis. In this context, we are talking about the socalled
short-investment problem as a result of long-term lack of
investment resources. Based on an analysis of road infrastructure
financing in the Czech Republic this article points out at weaknesses
of current system and proposes a long-term planning methodology
supported by system approach. Within this methodology and using
created system dynamic model the article predicts the development of
short-investment problem in the Country and in reaction on the
downward trend of certain sources the article presents various
scenarios resulting from the change of the structure of financial
sources. In the discussion the article focuses more closely on the
possibility of introduction of tax on vehicles instead of taxes with
declining revenue streams and estimates its approximate price in
relation to reaching various solutions of short-investment in time.
Abstract: The capturing of gel electrophoresis image represents
the output of a DNA computing algorithm. Before this image is being
captured, DNA computing involves parallel overlap assembly (POA)
and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that is the main of this
computing algorithm. However, the design of the DNA
oligonucleotides to represent a problem is quite complicated and is
prone to errors. In order to reduce these errors during the design stage
before the actual in-vitro experiment is carried out; a simulation
software capable of simulating the POA and PCR processes is
developed. This simulation software capability is unlimited where
problem of any size and complexity can be simulated, thus saving
cost due to possible errors during the design process. Information
regarding the DNA sequence during the computing process as well as
the computing output can be extracted at the same time using the
simulation software.
Abstract: The present study investigates numerically the
phenomenon of vortex-shedding and its suppression in twodimensional
mixed convective flow past a square cylinder under the
joint influence of buoyancy and free-stream orientation with respect
to gravity. The numerical experiments have been conducted at a
fixed Reynolds number (Re) of 100 and Prandtl number (Pr) of 0.71,
while Richardson number (Ri) is varied from 0 to 1.6 and freestream
orientation, α, is kept in the range 0o≤ α ≤ 90o, with 0o
corresponding to an upward flow and 90o representing a cross-flow
scenario, respectively. The continuity, momentum and energy
equations, subject to Boussinesq approximation, are discretized using
a finite difference method and are solved by a semi-explicit pressure
correction scheme. The critical Richardson number, leading to the
suppression of the vortex-shedding (Ric), is estimated by using
Stuart-Landau theory at various free-stream orientations and the
neutral curve is obtained in the Ri-α plane. The neutral curve
exhibits an interesting non-monotonic behavior with Ric first
increasing with increasing values of α upto 45o and then decreasing
till 70o. Beyond 70o, the neutral curve again exhibits a sharp
increasing asymptotic trend with Ric approaching very large values
as α approaches 90o. The suppression of vortex shedding is not
observed at α = 90o (cross-flow). In the unsteady flow regime, the
Strouhal number (St) increases with the increase in Richardson
number.
Abstract: Social resilience has role to govern the local community and coastal fisheries resources toward sustainable fisheries development in tsunami affected area. This paper asses, explore and investigates of indigenous institutions, external and internal facilitators toward strengthening social resilience. Identification of the genuine organizations role had been conducted twice by using Rapid Assessment Appraisal, Focus Group Discussion, and in-depth interview for collecting primary and secondary data. Local wisdom had a contribution and adaptable to rebound social resilience. The Panglima Laot Lhok (sea commander) had determined and adapted role on recovery of the fishing community, particularly facilitated aid delivery to fishermen, as shown in anchovy fisheries relief case in Krueng Raya Bay. Toke Bangku (financial trader) had stimulated for reinforcement of advance payment and market channel. The other institutions supported upon linking and bridging connectivity among stakeholders. Collaborative governance can avoid conflict, reduce donor dependency and strengthen social resilience within fishing community.
Abstract: In this paper we present an autoregressive model with
neural networks modeling and standard error backpropagation
algorithm training optimization in order to predict the gross domestic
product (GDP) growth rate of four countries. Specifically we propose
a kind of weighted regression, which can be used for econometric
purposes, where the initial inputs are multiplied by the neural
networks final optimum weights from input-hidden layer after the
training process. The forecasts are compared with those of the
ordinary autoregressive model and we conclude that the proposed
regression-s forecasting results outperform significant those of
autoregressive model in the out-of-sample period. The idea behind
this approach is to propose a parametric regression with weighted
variables in order to test for the statistical significance and the
magnitude of the estimated autoregressive coefficients and
simultaneously to estimate the forecasts.
Abstract: Partitions can play a significant role in minimising cochannel
interference of Wireless LANs by attenuating signals across
room boundaries. This could pave the way towards higher density
deployments in home and office environments through spatial
channel reuse. Yet, due to protocol limitations, the latest incantation
of IEEE 802.11 standard is still unable to take advantage of this fact:
Despite having clearly adequate Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR)
over co-channel neighbouring networks in other rooms, its goodput
falls significantly lower than its maximum in the absence of cochannel
interferers. In this paper, we describe how this situation can
be remedied via modest modifications to the standard.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the
efficiency of a double-layer roof in collecting solar energy as an
application to the areas such as raising high-end temperature of
organic Rankine cycle (ORC). The by-product of the solar roof is to
reduce building air-conditioning loads. The experimental apparatus
are arranged to evaluate the effects of the solar roof in absorbing solar
energy. The flow channel is basically formed by an aluminum plate on
top of a plywood plate. The geometric configurations in which the
effects of absorbing energy is analyzed include: a bare uncovered
aluminum plate, a glass-covered aluminum plate, a
glass-covered/black-painted aluminum plate, a plate with variable
lengths, a flow channel with stuffed material (in an attempt on
enhancement of heat conduction), and a flow channel with variable
slanted angles. The experimental results show that the efficiency of
energy collection varies from 0.6 % to 11 % for the geometric
configurations mentioned above. An additional study is carried out
using CFD simulation to investigate the effects of fins on the
aluminum plate. It shows that due to vastly enhanced heat conduction,
the efficiency can reach ~23 % if 50 fins are installed on the aluminum
plate. The study shows that a double-layer roof can efficiently absorb
solar energy and substantially reduce building air-conditioning
loads. On the high end of an organic Rankine cycle, a solar pond is
used to replace the warm surface water of the sea as OTEC (ocean
thermal energy conversion) is the driving energy for the ORC. The
energy collected from the double-layered solar roof can be pumped
into the pond and raise the pond temperature as the pond surface area is
equivalently increased by nearly one-fourth of the total area of the
double-layer solar roof. The effect of raising solar pond temperature is
especially prominent if the double-layer solar roofs are installed in a
community area.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to introduce a new
interface program to calculate a dose distribution with Monte Carlo method in complex heterogeneous systems such as organs or tissues
in proton therapy. This interface program was developed under
MATLAB software and includes a friendly graphical user interface
with several tools such as image properties adjustment or results display. Quadtree decomposition technique was used as an image
segmentation algorithm to create optimum geometries from Computed Tomography (CT) images for dose calculations of proton
beam. The result of the mentioned technique is a number of nonoverlapped
squares with different sizes in every image. By this way
the resolution of image segmentation is high enough in and near
heterogeneous areas to preserve the precision of dose calculations
and is low enough in homogeneous areas to reduce the number of
cells directly. Furthermore a cell reduction algorithm can be used to combine neighboring cells with the same material. The validation of this method has been done in two ways; first, in comparison with experimental data obtained with 80 MeV proton beam in Cyclotron
and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC) in Tohoku University and second, in comparison with data based on polybinary tissue calibration method, performed in CYRIC. These results are presented in this paper. This program can read the output file of Monte Carlo code while region of interest is selected manually, and give a plot of dose distribution of proton beam superimposed onto the CT images.
Abstract: Motor imagery classification provides an important basis for designing Brain Machine Interfaces [BMI]. A BMI captures and decodes brain EEG signals and transforms human thought into actions. The ability of an individual to control his EEG through imaginary mental tasks enables him to control devices through the BMI. This paper presents a method to design a four state BMI using EEG signals recorded from the C3 and C4 locations. Principle features extracted through principle component analysis of the segmented EEG are analyzed using two novel classification algorithms using Elman recurrent neural network and functional link neural network. Performance of both classifiers is evaluated using a particle swarm optimization training algorithm; results are also compared with the conventional back propagation training algorithm. EEG motor imagery recorded from two subjects is used in the offline analysis. From overall classification performance it is observed that the BP algorithm has higher average classification of 93.5%, while the PSO algorithm has better training time and maximum classification. The proposed methods promises to provide a useful alternative general procedure for motor imagery classification
Abstract: System testing is actually done to the entire system
against the Functional Requirement Specification and/or the System
Requirement Specification. Moreover, it is an investigatory testing
phase, where the focus is to have almost a destructive attitude and
test not only the design, but also the behavior and even the believed
expectations of the customer. It is also intended to test up to and
beyond the bounds defined in the software/hardware requirements
specifications. In Motorola®, Automated Testing is one of the testing
methodologies uses by GSG-iSGT (Global Software Group - iDEN
TM
Subcriber Group-Test) to increase the testing volume, productivity
and reduce test cycle-time in iDEN
TM
phones testing. Testing is able
to produce more robust products before release to the market. In this
paper, iHopper is proposed as a tool to perform stress test on iDEN
TM
phonse. We will discuss the value that automation has brought to
iDEN
TM
Phone testing such as improving software quality in the
iDEN
TM
phone together with some metrics. We will also look into
the advantages of the proposed system and some discussion of the
future work as well.
Abstract: A person-to-person information sharing is easily realized
by P2P networks in which servers are not essential. Leakage
of information, which are caused by malicious accesses for P2P
networks, has become a new social issues. To prevent information
leakage, it is necessary to detect and block traffics of P2P software.
Since some P2P softwares can spoof port numbers, it is difficult to
detect the traffics sent from P2P softwares by using port numbers.
It is more difficult to devise effective countermeasures for detecting
the software because their protocol are not public.
In this paper, a discriminating method of network applications
based on communication characteristics of application messages
without port numbers is proposed. The proposed method is based
on an assumption that there can be some rules about time intervals
to transmit messages in application layer and the number of necessary
packets to send one message. By extracting the rule from network
traffic, the proposed method can discriminate applications without
port numbers.
Abstract: An adaptive spatial Gaussian mixture model is proposed for clustering based color image segmentation. A new clustering objective function which incorporates the spatial information is introduced in the Bayesian framework. The weighting parameter for controlling the importance of spatial information is made adaptive to the image content to augment the smoothness towards piecewisehomogeneous region and diminish the edge-blurring effect and hence the name adaptive spatial finite mixture model. The proposed approach is compared with the spatially variant finite mixture model for pixel labeling. The experimental results with synthetic and Berkeley dataset demonstrate that the proposed method is effective in improving the segmentation and it can be employed in different practical image content understanding applications.