Abstract: In this study, three robust predicting methods, namely artificial neural network (ANN), adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and support vector machine (SVM) were used for computing the resonant frequency of A-shaped compact microstrip antennas (ACMAs) operating at UHF band. Firstly, the resonant frequencies of 144 ACMAs with various dimensions and electrical parameters were simulated with the help of IE3D™ based on method of moment (MoM). The ANN, ANFIS and SVM models for computing the resonant frequency were then built by considering the simulation data. 124 simulated ACMAs were utilized for training and the remaining 20 ACMAs were used for testing the ANN, ANFIS and SVM models. The performance of the ANN, ANFIS and SVM models are compared in the training and test process. The average percentage errors (APE) regarding the computed resonant frequencies for training of the ANN, ANFIS and SVM were obtained as 0.457%, 0.399% and 0.600%, respectively. The constructed models were then tested and APE values as 0.601% for ANN, 0.744% for ANFIS and 0.623% for SVM were achieved. The results obtained here show that ANN, ANFIS and SVM methods can be successfully applied to compute the resonant frequency of ACMAs, since they are useful and versatile methods that yield accurate results.
Abstract: This paper proposes a novel heuristic algorithm that aims to determine the best size and location of distributed generators in unbalanced distribution networks. The proposed heuristic algorithm can deal with the planning cases where power loss is to be optimized without violating the system practical constraints. The distributed generation units in the proposed algorithm is modeled as voltage controlled node with the flexibility to be converted to constant power factor node in case of reactive power limit violation. The proposed algorithm is implemented in MATLAB and tested on the IEEE 37 -node feeder. The results obtained show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Abstract: High resolution images are always desired as they contain the more information and they can better represent the original data. So, to convert the low resolution image into high resolution interpolation is done. The quality of such high resolution image depends on the interpolation function and is assessed in terms of sharpness of image. This paper focuses on Wavelet based Interpolation Techniques in which an input image is divided into subbands. Each subband is processed separately and finally combined the processed subbandsto get the super resolution image.
Abstract: Many interventions for social skills acquisition aim to decrease the gap between social skills deficits in the individual and normative social skills; nevertheless little is known of typical social skills according to age difference in students. In this study, we developed new quintet of Hokkaido Social Skills Inventory (HSSI) to identify age-appropriate social skills for school adaptation. First, we selected 13 categories of social skills for school adaptation from previous studies, and created questionnaire items through discussion by 25 teachers in all three levels from elementary schools to senior high schools. Second, the factor structures of five versions of the social skills scale were investigated on 2nd grade (n = 1,864), 4th grade (n = 1,936), 6th grade (n = 2,085), 7th grade (n = 2,007), and 10th grade (n = 912) students, respectively. The exploratory factor analysis showed that a number of constructing factors of social skills increased as one’s grade in school advanced. The results in the present study can be useful to characterize the age-appropriate social skills for school adaptation.
Abstract: Obesity and osteoporosis are the two diseases whose
increasing prevalence and high impact on the global morbidity and
mortality, during the two recent decades, have gained a status of
major health threats worldwide. Obesity purports to affect the bone
metabolism through complex mechanisms. Debated data on the
connection between the bone mineral density and fracture prevalence
in the obese patients are widely presented in literature. There is
evidence that the correlation of weight and fracture risk is sitespecific.
This study is aimed at determining the connection between
the bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS)
parameters in Ukrainian women suffering from obesity. We
examined 1025 40-89-year-old women, divided them into the groups
according to their body mass index: Group A included 360 women
with obesity whose BMI was ≥30 kg/m2, and Group B – 665 women
with no obesity and BMI of
Abstract: This paper reviews the model-based qualitative and
quantitative Operations Management research in the context of
Construction Supply Chain Management (CSCM). Construction
industry has been traditionally blamed for low productivity, cost and
time overruns, waste, high fragmentation and adversarial
relationships. The construction industry has been slower than other
industries to employ the Supply Chain Management (SCM) concept
and develop models that support the decision-making and planning.
However the last decade there is a distinct shift from a project-based
to a supply-based approach of construction management. CSCM
comes up as a new promising management tool of construction
operations and improves the performance of construction projects in
terms of cost, time and quality. Modeling the Construction Supply
Chain (CSC) offers the means to reap the benefits of SCM, make
informed decisions and gain competitive advantage. Different
modeling approaches and methodologies have been applied in the
multi-disciplinary and heterogeneous research field of CSCM. The
literature review reveals that a considerable percentage of the CSC
modeling research accommodates conceptual or process models
which present general management frameworks and do not relate to
acknowledged soft Operations Research methods. We particularly
focus on the model-based quantitative research and categorize the
CSCM models depending on their scope, objectives, modeling
approach, solution methods and software used. Although over the last
few years there has been clearly an increase of research papers on
quantitative CSC models, we identify that the relevant literature is
very fragmented with limited applications of simulation,
mathematical programming and simulation-based optimization. Most
applications are project-specific or study only parts of the supply
system. Thus, some complex interdependencies within construction
are neglected and the implementation of the integrated supply chain
management is hindered. We conclude this paper by giving future
research directions and emphasizing the need to develop optimization
models for integrated CSCM. We stress that CSC modeling needs a
multi-dimensional, system-wide and long-term perspective. Finally,
prior applications of SCM to other industries have to be taken into
account in order to model CSCs, but not without translating the
generic concepts to the context of construction industry.
Abstract: Supply chains are the backbone of trade and
commerce. Their logistics use different transport corridors on regular
basis for operational purpose. The international supply chain
transport corridors include different infrastructure elements (e.g.
weighbridge, package handling equipments, border clearance
authorities, and so on). This paper presents the use of multi-agent
systems (MAS) to model and simulate some aspects of transportation
corridors, and in particular the area of weighbridge resource
optimization for operational profit. An underlying multi-agent model
provides a means of modeling the relationships among stakeholders
in order to enable coordination in a transport corridor environment.
Simulations of the costs of container unloading, reloading, and
waiting time for queuing up tracks have been carried out using data
sets. Results of the simulation provide the potential guidance in
making decisions about optimal service resource allocation in a trade
corridor.
Abstract: In present study, it was aimed to determine potential
agricultural lands (PALs) in Gokceada (Imroz) Island of Canakkale
province, Turkey. Seven-band Landsat 8 OLI images acquired on
July 12 and August 13, 2013, and their 14-band combination image
were used to identify current Land Use Land Cover (LULC) status.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to three Landsat
datasets in order to reduce the correlation between the bands. A total
of six Original and PCA images were classified using supervised
classification method to obtain the LULC maps including 6 main
classes (“Forest”, “Agriculture”, “Water Surface”, “Residential Area-
Bare Soil”, “Reforestation” and “Other”). Accuracy assessment was
performed by checking the accuracy of 120 randomized points for
each LULC maps. The best overall accuracy and Kappa statistic
values (90.83%, 0.8791% respectively) were found for PCA images
which were generated from 14-bands combined images called 3-
B/JA.
Digital Elevation Model (DEM) with 15 m spatial resolution
(ASTER) was used to consider topographical characteristics. Soil
properties were obtained by digitizing 1:25000 scaled soil maps of
Rural Services Directorate General. Potential Agricultural Lands
(PALs) were determined using Geographic information Systems
(GIS). Procedure was applied considering that “Other” class of
LULC map may be used for agricultural purposes in the future
properties. Overlaying analysis was conducted using Slope (S), Land
Use Capability Class (LUCC), Other Soil Properties (OSP) and Land
Use Capability Sub-Class (SUBC) properties.
A total of 901.62 ha areas within “Other” class (15798.2 ha) of
LULC map were determined as PALs. These lands were ranked as
“Very Suitable”, “Suitable”, “Moderate Suitable” and “Low
Suitable”. It was determined that the 8.03 ha were classified as “Very
Suitable” while 18.59 ha as suitable and 11.44 ha as “Moderate
Suitable” for PALs. In addition, 756.56 ha were found to be “Low
Suitable”. The results obtained from this preliminary study can serve
as basis for further studies.
Abstract: In recent years, there has been a decline in physical
activity among adults. Motivation has been shown to be a crucial
factor in maintaining physical activity. The purpose of this study was
to whether PA motives measured by the Physical Activity and
Leisure Motivation Scale PALMS predicted the actual amount of PA
at a later time to provide evidence for the construct validity of the
PALMS. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive research design
was employed. The Demographic Form, PALMS, and International
Physical Activity Questionnaire Short form (IPAQ-S) questionnaires
were used to assess motives and amount for physical activity in
adults on two occasions. A sample of 489 male undergraduate
students aged 18 to 25 years (mean ±SD; 22.30±8.13 years) took part
in the study. Participants were divided into three types of activities,
namely exercise, racquet sport, and team sports and female
participants only took part in one type of activity, namely team
sports. After 14 weeks, all 489 undergraduate students who had filled
in the initial questionnaire (Occasion 1) received the questionnaire
via email (Occasion 2). Of the 489 students, 378 males emailed back
the completed questionnaire. The results showed that not only were
pertinent sub-scales of PALMS positively related to amount of
physical activity, but separate regression analyses showed the
positive predictive effect of PALMS motives for amount of physical
activity for each type of physical activity among participants. This
study supported the construct validity of the PALMS by showing that
the motives measured by PALMS did predict amount of PA. This
information can be obtained to match people with specific sport or
activity which in turn could potentially promote longer adherence to
the specific activity.
Abstract: The flow duration curve (FDC) is an informative
method that represents the flow regime’s properties for a river basin.
Therefore, the FDC is widely used for water resource projects such as
hydropower, water supply, irrigation and water quality management.
The primary purpose of this study is to obtain synthetic daily flow
duration curves for Çoruh Basin, Turkey. For this aim, we firstly
developed univariate auto-regressive moving average (ARMA)
models for daily flows of 9 stations located in Çoruh basin and then
these models were used to generate 100 synthetic flow series each
having same size as historical series. Secondly, flow duration curves
of each synthetic series were drawn and the flow values exceeded 10,
50 and 95% of the time and 95% confidence limit of these flows were
calculated. As a result, flood, mean and low flows potential of Çoruh
basin will comprehensively be represented.
Abstract: This paper focuses on a critical component of the
situational awareness (SA), the control of autonomous vertical flight
for vectored thrust aerial vehicle (VTAV). With the SA strategy, we
proposed a neural network motion control procedure to address the
dynamics variation and performance requirement difference of flight
trajectory for a VTAV. This control strategy with using of NARMAL2
neurocontroller for chosen model of VTAV has been verified by
simulation of take-off and forward maneuvers using software
package Simulink and demonstrated good performance for fast
stabilization of motors, consequently, fast SA with economy in
energy can be asserted during search-and-rescue operations.
Abstract: Designing cost-efficient, secure network protocols for
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is a challenging problem because
sensors are resource-limited wireless devices. Security services such
as authentication and improved pairwise key establishment are
critical to high efficient networks with sensor nodes. For sensor
nodes to correspond securely with each other efficiently, usage of
cryptographic techniques is necessary. In this paper, two key
predistribution schemes that enable a mobile sink to establish a
secure data-communication link, on the fly, with any sensor nodes.
The intermediate nodes along the path to the sink are able to verify
the authenticity and integrity of the incoming packets using a
predicted value of the key generated by the sender’s essential power.
The proposed schemes are based on the pairwise key with the mobile
sink, our analytical results clearly show that our schemes perform
better in terms of network resilience to node capture than existing
schemes if used in wireless sensor networks with mobile sinks.
Abstract: Under active stress conditions, a rigid cantilever
retaining wall tends to rotate about a pivot point located within the
embedded depth of the wall. For purely granular and cohesive soils, a
methodology was previously reported called minimization of moment
ratio to determine the location of the pivot point of rotation. The
usage of this new methodology is to estimate the rotational stability
safety factor. Moreover, the degree of improvement required in a
backfill to get a desired safety factor can be estimated by the concept
of the shear strength demand. In this article, the accuracy of this
method for another type of cantilever walls called Contiguous Bored
Pile (CBP) retaining wall is evaluated by using physical modeling
technique. Based on observations, the results of moment ratio
minimization method are in good agreement with the results of the
carried out physical modeling.
Abstract: In this work, the Ictalurus punctatus species estimated
available physical habitat is compared with the estimated physical
habitat for the same but modified river reach, with the aim of creating
a linear park, along a length of 5 500 m.
To determine the effect of ecological park construction, on
physical habitat of the Lerma river stretch of study, first, the available
habitat for the Ictalurus punctatus species was estimated through the
simulation of the physical habitat, by using surveying, hydraulics,
and habitat information gotten at the river reach in its actual situation.
Second, it was estimated the available habitat for the above species,
upon the simulation of the physical habitat through the proposed
modification for the ecological park creation. Third, it is presented a
comparison between both scenarios in terms of available habitat
estimated for Ictalurus punctatus species, concluding that in cases of
adult and spawning life stages, changes in the channel to create an
ecological park would produce a considerable loss of potentially
usable habitat (PUH), while in the case of the juvenile life stage PUH
remains virtually unchanged, and in the case of life stage fry the PUH
would increase due to the presence of velocities and depths of lesser
magnitude, due to the presence of minor flow rates and lower volume
of the wet channel.
It is expected that habitat modification for linear park construction
may produce the lack of Ictalurus punktatus species conservation at
the river reach of the study.
Abstract: A pilot field study was conducted at the Jagjeetpur
Municipal Sewage treatment plant situated in the Haridwar town in
Uttarakhand state, India. The objectives of the present study were to
study the effect of treated wastewater on the production of various
paddy varieties (Sharbati, PR-114, PB-1, Menaka, PB1121 and PB
1509) and the emission of GHG gases (CO2, CH4 and N2O) as
compared to the same varieties grown in the control plots irrigated
with fresh water. Of late, the concept of water footprint assessment
has emerged, which explains enumeration of various types of water
footprints of an agricultural entity from its production to processing
stages. Paddy, the most water demanding staple crop of Uttarakhand
state, displayed a high green water footprint value of 2474.12 m3/
Ton. Most of the wastewater irrigated varieties displayed up to 6%
increase in production, except Menaka and PB-1121, which showed a
reduction in production (6% and 3% respectively), due to pest and
insect infestation. The treated wastewater was observed to be rich in
Nitrogen (55.94 mg/ml Nitrate), Phosphorus (54.24 mg/ml) and
Potassium (9.78 mg/ml), thus rejuvenating the soil quality and not
requiring any external nutritional supplements. A Percentage increase
of GHG gases of irrigation with treated municipal wastewater as
compared to control plots was observed as 0.4% - 8.6% (CH4), 1.1%
- 9.2% (CO2), and 0.07% - 5.8% (N2O). The variety, Sharbati,
displayed maximum production (5.5 ton/ha) and emerged as the most
resistant variety against pests and insects. The emission values of
CH4, CO2 and N2O were 729.31 mg/m2/d, 322.10 mg/m2/d and
400.21 mg/m2/d in water stagnant condition.
This study highlighted a successful possibility of reuse of
wastewater for non-potable purposes offering the potential for
exploiting this resource that can replace or reduce the existing use of
fresh water sources in agriculture sector.
Abstract: Submerged arc welding is a very complex process. It
is a very efficient and high performance welding process. In this
present study an attempt have been done to reduce the welding
distortion by increased amount of oxide flux through TiO2 in
submerged arc welding process. Care has been taken to avoid the
excessiveness of the adding agent for attainment of significant
results. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) based BAT algorithm is
used for the parametric optimization purpose in which DEA is used
to convert multi response parameters into a single response
parameter. The present study also helps to know the effectiveness of
the addition of TiO2 in active flux during submerged arc welding
process.
Abstract: In this paper, the goal programming methodology for
solving multiple objective problem of the technological variants and
production plan optimization has been applied. The optimization
criteria are determined and the multiple objective linear programming
model for solving a problem of the technological variants and
production plan optimization is formed and solved. Then the obtained
results are analysed. The obtained results point out to the possibility
of efficient application of the goal programming methodology in
solving the problem of the technological variants and production plan
optimization. The paper points out on the advantages of the
application of the goal programming methodology compare to the
Surrogat Worth Trade-off method in solving this problem.
Abstract: The security of cloud services is the concern of cloud
service providers. In this paper, we will mention different
classifications of cloud attacks referred by specialized organizations.
Each agency has its classification of well-defined properties. The
purpose is to present a high-level classification of current research in
cloud computing security. This classification is organized around
attack strategies and corresponding defenses.
Abstract: As technology-based service industries grow
drastically worldwide; companies are recognizing the importance of
market preoccupancy and have made an effort to capture a large
market to gain the upper hand. To this end, a focus on patents can be
used to determine the properties of a technology, as well as to capture
advantages in technical skills, in comparison with the firm’s
competitors. However, technology-based services largely depend not
only on their technological value but also their economic value, due
to the recognized worth that is passed to a plurality of users. Thus, it
is important to determine whether there are any competitors in the
target areas and what services they provide in any field. Despite this
importance, little effort has been made to systematically benchmark
competitors in order to identify business opportunities. Thus, this
study aims to not only identify each position of technology-centered
service companies in complex market dynamics, but also to discover
new business opportunities. For this, we try to consider both
technology and market environments simultaneously by utilizing
patent data as a representative proxy for technology and trademark
dates as an index for a firm’s target goods and services. Theoretically,
this is one of the earliest attempts to combine patent data and
trademark data to analyze corporate strategies. In practice, the
research results are expected to be used as a decision criterion to
diagnose the economic value that companies can obtain by entering
the market, as well as the technological value to be passed onto their
customers. Thus, the proposed approach can be useful to support
effective technology and business strategies in a firm.
Abstract: Any signal transmitted over a channel is corrupted by noise and interference. A host of channel coding techniques has been proposed to alleviate the effect of such noise and interference. Among these Turbo codes are recommended, because of increased capacity at higher transmission rates and superior performance over convolutional codes. The multimedia elements which are associated with ample amount of data are best protected by Turbo codes. Turbo decoder employs Maximum A-posteriori Probability (MAP) and Soft Output Viterbi Decoding (SOVA) algorithms. Conventional Turbo coded systems employ Equal Error Protection (EEP) in which the protection of all the data in an information message is uniform. Some applications involve Unequal Error Protection (UEP) in which the level of protection is higher for important information bits than that of other bits. In this work, enhancement to the traditional Log MAP decoding algorithm is being done by using optimized scaling factors for both the decoders. The error correcting performance in presence of UEP in Additive White Gaussian Noise channel (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading are analyzed for the transmission of image with Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) as source coding technique. This paper compares the performance of log MAP, Modified log MAP (MlogMAP) and Enhanced log MAP (ElogMAP) algorithms used for image transmission. The MlogMAP algorithm is found to be best for lower Eb/N0 values but for higher Eb/N0 ElogMAP performs better with optimized scaling factors. The performance comparison of AWGN with fading channel indicates the robustness of the proposed algorithm. According to the performance of three different message classes, class3 would be more protected than other two classes. From the performance analysis, it is observed that ElogMAP algorithm with UEP is best for transmission of an image compared to Log MAP and MlogMAP decoding algorithms.