Abstract: This paper proposes fractal patterns for power quality
(PQ) detection using color relational analysis (CRA) based classifier.
Iterated function system (IFS) uses the non-linear interpolation in the
map and uses similarity maps to construct various fractal patterns of
power quality disturbances, including harmonics, voltage sag, voltage
swell, voltage sag involving harmonics, voltage swell involving
harmonics, and voltage interruption. The non-linear interpolation
functions (NIFs) with fractal dimension (FD) make fractal patterns
more distinguishing between normal and abnormal voltage signals.
The classifier based on CRA discriminates the disturbance events in a
power system. Compared with the wavelet neural networks, the test
results will show accurate discrimination, good robustness, and faster
processing time for detecting disturbing events.
Abstract: In order to study seed yield and seed yield
components in bean under reduced irrigation condition and
assessment drought tolerance of genotypes, 15 lines of White beans
were evaluated in two separate RCB design with 3 replications under
stress and non stress conditions. Analysis of variance showed that
there were significant differences among varieties in terms of traits
under study, indicating the existence of genetic variation among
varieties. The results indicate that drought stress reduced seed yield,
number of seed per plant, biological yield and number of pod in
White been. In non stress condition, yield was highly correlated with
the biological yield, whereas in stress condition it was highly
correlated with harvest index. Results of stepwise regression showed
that, selection can we done based on, biological yield, harvest index,
number of seed per pod, seed length, 100 seed weight. Result of path
analysis showed that the highest direct effect, being positive, was
related to biological yield in non stress and to harvest index in stress
conditions. Factor analysis were accomplished in stress and nonstress
condition a, there were 4 factors that explained more than 76
percent of total variations. We used several selection indices such as
Stress Susceptibility Index ( SSI ), Geometric Mean Productivity (
GMP ), Mean Productivity ( MP ), Stress Tolerance Index ( STI ) and
Tolerance Index ( TOL ) to study drought tolerance of genotypes, we
found that the best Stress Index for selection tolerance genotypes
were STI, GMP and MP were the greatest correlations between these
Indices and seed yield under stress and non stress conditions. In
classification of genotypes base on phenotypic characteristics, using
cluster analysis ( UPGMA ), all allels classified in 5 separate groups
in stress and non stress conditions.
Abstract: Elastic and inelastic scattering of α-particles by 9Be nuclei at different incident energies have been analyzed. Optical model parameters (OMPs) of α-particles elastic scattering by 9Be at different energies have been obtained. Coupled Reaction Channel (CRC) of elastic scattering, inelastic scattering and transfer reaction has been calculated using Fresco Code. The effect of involving CRC calculations on the analysis of differential cross section has been studied. The transfer reaction of (5He) in the reaction 9Be(α,9Be)α has been studied. The spectroscopic factor of 9Be≡α+5He has been extracted.
Abstract: This paper examines the students’ self-concept among 16- and 17- year- old adolescents in Malaysian secondary schools. Previous studies have shown that positive self-concept played an important role in student adjustment and academic performance during schooling. This study attempts to investigate the factors influencing students’ perceptions toward their own self-concept. A total of 1168 students participated in the survey. This study utilized the CoPs (UM) instrument to measure self-concept. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed three factors: academic selfconcept, physical self-concept and social self-concept. This study confirmed that students perceived certain internal context factors, and revealed that external context factor also have an impact on their self-concept.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel method for prediction of
the mechanical behavior of proximal femur using the general
framework of the quantitative computed tomography (QCT)-based
finite element Analysis (FEA). A systematic imaging and modeling
procedure was developed for reliable correspondence between the
QCT-based FEA and the in-vitro mechanical testing. A speciallydesigned
holding frame was used to define and maintain a unique
geometrical reference system during the analysis and testing. The
QCT images were directly converted into voxel-based 3D finite
element models for linear and nonlinear analyses. The equivalent
plastic strain and the strain energy density measures were used to
identify the critical elements and predict the failure patterns. The
samples were destructively tested using a specially-designed gripping
fixture (with five degrees of freedom) mounted within a universal
mechanical testing machine. Very good agreements were found
between the experimental and the predicted failure patterns and the
associated load levels.
Abstract: The electrical potentials generated during eye movements and blinks are one of the main sources of artifacts in Electroencephalogram (EEG) recording and can propagate much across the scalp, masking and distorting brain signals. In recent times, signal separation algorithms are used widely for removing artifacts from the observed EEG data. In this paper, a recently introduced signal separation algorithm Mutual Information based Least dependent Component Analysis (MILCA) is employed to separate ocular artifacts from EEG. The aim of MILCA is to minimize the Mutual Information (MI) between the independent components (estimated sources) under a pure rotation. Performance of this algorithm is compared with eleven popular algorithms (Infomax, Extended Infomax, Fast ICA, SOBI, TDSEP, JADE, OGWE, MS-ICA, SHIBBS, Kernel-ICA, and RADICAL) for the actual independence and uniqueness of the estimated source components obtained for different sets of EEG data with ocular artifacts by using a reliable MI Estimator. Results show that MILCA is best in separating the ocular artifacts and EEG and is recommended for further analysis.
Abstract: In order to study the influence of different methods of controlling weeds such as mechanical weeding and mechanical weeder efficiency analysis in mechanical cultivation conditions, in farming year of 2011 an experiment was done in a farm in coupling and development of technology center in Haraz,Iran. The treatments consisted of (I) control treatment: where no weeding was done, (II) use of mechanical weeding without engine and (III) power mechanical weeding. Results showed that experimental treatments had significantly different effects (p=0.05) on yield traits and number of filled grains per panicle, while treatments had the significant effects on grain weight and dry weight of weeds in the first, second and third weeding methods at 1% of confidence level. Treatment (II) had its most significant effect on number of filled grains per panicle and yield performance standpoint, which was 3705.97 kg ha-1 in its highest peak. Treatment (III) was ranked as second influential with 3559.8 kg ha-1. In addition, under (I) treatments, 2364.73 kg ha-1 of yield produced. The minimum dry weights of weeds in all weeding methods were related to the treatment (II), (III) and (I), respectively. The correlation coefficient analysis showed that total yield had a significant positive correlation with the panicle grain yield per plant (r= 0.55*) and the number of grains per panicle-1 (r= 0.57*) and the number of filled grains (r= 0.63*). Total rice yield also had negative correlation of r= -0. 64* with weed dry weight at second weed sampling time (17 DAT). The weed dry weight at third and fourth sampling times (24 and 40 DAT) had negative correlations of -0.65** and r=-0.61* with rice yield, respectively.
Abstract: Cogeneration may be defined as a system which
contains electricity production and regain of the thermo value of
exhaust gases simultaneously. The examination is based on the data-s
of an active cogeneration plant. This study, it is aimed to determine
which component of the system should be revised first to raise the
efficiency and decrease the loss of exergy. For this purpose, second
law analysis of thermodynamics is applied to each component due to
consider the effects of environmental conditions and take the quality
of energy into consideration as well as the quantity of it. The exergy
balance equations are produced and exergy loss is calculated for each
component. 44,44 % loss of exergy in heat exchanger, 29,59 % in
combustion chamber, 18,68 % in steam boiler, 5,25 % in gas turbine
and 2,03 % in compressor is calculated.
Abstract: Formal Specification languages are being widely used
for system specification and testing. Highly critical systems such as
real time systems, avionics, and medical systems are represented
using Formal specification languages. Formal specifications based
testing is mostly performed using black box testing approaches thus
testing only the set of inputs and outputs of the system. The formal
specification language such as VDMµ can be used for white box
testing as they provide enough constructs as any other high level
programming language. In this work, we perform data and control
flow analysis of VDMµ class specifications. The proposed work is
discussed with an example of SavingAccount.
Abstract: During the last few years, several sheet hydroforming
processes have been introduced. Despite the advantages of these
methods, they have some limitations. Of the processes, the two main
ones are the standard hydroforming and hydromechanical deep
drawing. A new sheet hydroforming die set was proposed that has the
advantages of both processes and eliminates their limitations. In this
method, a polyurethane plate was used as a part of the die-set to
control the blank holder force. This paper outlines the Taguchi
optimization methodology, which is applied to optimize the effective
parameters in forming cylindrical cups by the new die set of sheet
hydroforming process. The process parameters evaluated in this
research are polyurethane hardness, polyurethane thickness, forming
pressure path and polyurethane hole diameter. The design of
experiments based upon L9 orthogonal arrays by Taguchi was used
and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyze the
effect of these parameters on the forming pressure. The analysis of
the results showed that the optimal combination for low forming
pressure is harder polyurethane, bigger diameter of polyurethane hole
and thinner polyurethane. Finally, the confirmation test was derived
based on the optimal combination of parameters and it was shown
that the Taguchi method is suitable to examine the optimization
process.
Abstract: Agricultural waste is mainly composed of cellulose
and hemicelluloses which can be converted to sugars. The
inexpensive reducing sugar from durian peel was obtained by
hydrolysis with HCl concentration at 0.5-2.0% (v/v). The hydrolysis
range of time was for 15-60 min when the mixture was autoclaved at
121 °C. The result showed that acid hydrolysis efficiency (AHE)
highest to 80.99% at condition is 2.0%concentration for 15 min.
Reducing sugar highest to 56.07 g/litre at condition is 2.0%
concentration for 45min. Total sugar highest to 59.83 g/litre at
condition is 2.0%concentration for 45min, which was not significant
(p < 0.05) with condition 2.0% concentration for 30 min and 1.5 %
concentration for 45 and 60 min. The increase in concentration
increased AHE, reducing sugar and total sugar. The hydrolysis time
had no effect on AHE, reducing sugar and total sugar. The maximum
reducing sugars of each concentration were at hydrolysis time 45
min .The hydrolysated were analysis by HPLC, the results revealed
that the principle of sugar were glucose, fructose and xylose.
Abstract: The ability to detect and classify the type of fault
plays a great role in the protection of power system. This procedure
is required to be precise with no time consumption. In this paper
detection of fault type has been implemented using wavelet analysis
together with wavelet entropy principle. The simulation of power
system is carried out using PSCAD/EMTDC. Different types of
faults were studied obtaining various current waveforms. These
current waveforms were decomposed using wavelet analysis into
different approximation and details. The wavelet entropy of such
decompositions is analyzed reaching a successful methodology for
fault classification. The suggested approach is tested using different
fault types and proven successful identification for the type of fault.
Abstract: Development of levels of service in municipal context
is a flexible vehicle to assist in performing quality-cost trade-off
analysis for municipal services. This trade-off depends on the
willingness of a community to pay as well as on the condition of the
assets. Community perspective of the performance of an asset from
service point of view may be quite different from the municipality
perspective of the performance of the same asset from condition
point of view. This paper presents a three phased level of service
based methodology for water mains that consists of :1)development
of an Analytical Hierarchy model of level of service 2) development
of Fuzzy Weighted Sum model of water main condition index and 3)
deriving a Fuzzy logic based function that maps level of service to
asset condition index. This mapping will assist asset managers in
quantifying condition improvement requirement to meet service
goals and to make more informed decisions on interventions and
relayed priorities.
Abstract: A Cable-Driven Locomotion Interface provides a low
inertia haptic interface and is used as a way of enabling the user
to walk and interact with virtual surfaces. These surfaces generate
Cartesian wrenches which must be optimized for each motorized
reel in order to reproduce a haptic sensation in both feet. However,
the use of wrench control requires a measure of the cable tensions
applied to the moving platform. The latter measure may be inaccurate
if it is based on sensors located near the reel. Moreover, friction
hysteresis from the reel moving parts needs to be compensated
for with an evaluation of low angular velocity of the motor shaft.
Also, the pose of the platform is not known precisely due to cable
sagging and mechanical deformation. This paper presents a non-ideal
motorized reel design with its corresponding control strategy that
aims at overcoming the aforementioned issues. A transfert function
of the reel based on frequency responses in function of cable tension
and cable length is presented with an optimal adaptative PIDF
controller. Finally, an hybrid position/tension control is discussed with
an analysis of the stability for achieving a complete functionnality of
the haptic platform.
Abstract: The paper investigates parallel channel instabilities of
natural circulation boiling water reactor. A thermal-hydraulic model
is developed to simulate two-phase flow behavior in the natural circulation boiling water reactor (NCBWR) with the incorporation of
ex-core components and recirculation loop such as steam separator, down-comer, lower-horizontal section and upper-horizontal section
and then, numerical analysis is carried out for parallel channel
instabilities of the reactor undergoing both in-phase and out-of-phase
modes of oscillations. To analyze the relative effect on stability of the reactor due to inclusion of various ex-core components and
recirculation loop, marginal stable point is obtained at a particular inlet enthalpy of the reactor core without the inclusion of ex-core
components and recirculation loop and then with the inclusion of the
same. Numerical simulations are also conducted to determine the
relative dominance between two modes of oscillations i.e. in-phase and out-of-phase. Simulations are also carried out when the channels
are subjected to asymmetric power distribution keeping the inlet enthalpy same.
Abstract: Thermal-driven refrigeration systems have attracted increasing research and development interest in recent years. These systems do not cause ozone depletion and can reduce demand on electricity. The main objective of this work is to perform theoretical analyses of a thermal-driven refrigeration system using a new sorbent-sorptive pair as the working pair. The active component of sorbent is sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN). Ammonia (NH3) is chosen as sorptive. Based on the thermodynamic properties of the working solution, a mathematical model is introduced to analyze the system characteristics and performance. The results are used to compare with other thermal-driven refrigeration systems. It is shown that the advantages provided by this system over other absorption units include lower generator and evaporator temperatures, a higher coefficient of performance (COP). The COP is about 10 percent higher than the ones for the NH3-H2O system working at the same conditions.
Abstract: Horizontal wells are proven to be better producers
because they can be extended for a long distance in the pay zone.
Engineers have the technical means to forecast the well productivity
for a given horizontal length. However, experiences have shown that
the actual production rate is often significantly less than that of
forecasted. It is a difficult task, if not impossible to identify the real
reason why a horizontal well is not producing what was forecasted.
Often the source of problem lies in the drilling of horizontal section
such as permeability reduction in the pay zone due to mud invasion
or snaky well patterns created during drilling. Although drillers aim
to drill a constant inclination hole in the pay zone, the more frequent
outcome is a sinusoidal wellbore trajectory. The two factors, which
play an important role in wellbore tortuosity, are the inclination and
side force at bit. A constant inclination horizontal well can only be
drilled if the bit face is maintained perpendicular to longitudinal axis
of bottom hole assembly (BHA) while keeping the side force nil at
the bit. This approach assumes that there exists no formation force at
bit. Hence, an appropriate BHA can be designed if bit side force and
bit tilt are determined accurately. The Artificial Neural Network
(ANN) is superior to existing analytical techniques. In this study, the
neural networks have been employed as a general approximation tool
for estimation of the bit side forces. A number of samples are
analyzed with ANN for parameters of bit side force and the results
are compared with exact analysis. Back Propagation Neural network
(BPN) is used to approximation of bit side forces. Resultant low
relative error value of the test indicates the usability of the BPN in
this area.
Abstract: Building inspection is one of the key components of building maintenance. The primary purpose of performing a building inspection is to evaluate the building-s condition. Without inspection, it is difficult to determine a built asset-s current condition, so failure to inspect can contribute to the asset-s future failure. Traditionally, a longhand survey description has been widely used for property condition reports. Surveys that employ ratings instead of descriptions are gaining wide acceptance in the industry because they cater to the need for numerical analysis output. These kinds of surveys are also in keeping with the new RICS HomeBuyer Report 2009. In this paper, we propose a new assessment method, derived from the current rating systems, for assessing the specifically smart school building-s condition and rating the seriousness of each defect identified. These two assessment criteria are then multiplied to find the building-s score, which we called the Condition Survey Protocol (CSP) 1 Matrix. Instead of a longhand description of a building-s defects, this matrix requires concise explanations about the defects identified, thus saving on-site time during a smart school building inspection. The full score is used to give the building an overall rating: Good, Fair or Dilapidated.
Abstract: Plasma plume will be produced and arrive at spacecraft when the electric thruster operates on orbit. It-s important to characterize the thruster plasma parameters because the plume has significant effects or hazards on spacecraft sub-systems and parts. Through the ground test data of the desired parameters, the major characteristics of the thruster plume will be achieved. Also it is very important for optimizing design of Ion thruster. Retarding Potential Analyzer (RPA) is an effective instrument for plasma ion energy per unit charge distribution measurement. Special RPA should be designed according to certain plume plasma parameters range and feature. In this paper, major principles usable for good RPA design are discussed carefully. Conform to these principles, a four-grid planar electrostatic energy analyzer RPA was designed to avoid false data, and details were discussed including construction, materials, aperture diameter and so on. At the same time, it was designed more suitable for credible and long-duration measurements in the laboratory. In the end, RPA measurement results in the laboratory were given and discussed.
Abstract: Mathematical models can be used to describe the
dynamics of the spread of infectious disease between susceptibles
and infectious populations. Dengue fever is a re-emerging disease in
the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its incidence has
increased fourfold since 1970 and outbreaks are now reported quite
frequently from many parts of the world. In dengue endemic regions,
more cases of dengue infection in pregnancy and infancy are being
found due to the increasing incidence. It has been reported that
dengue infection was vertically transmitted to the infants. Primary
dengue infection is associated with mild to high fever, headache,
muscle pain and skin rash. Immune response includes IgM antibodies
produced by the 5th day of symptoms and persist for 30-60 days. IgG
antibodies appear on the 14th day and persist for life. Secondary
infections often result in high fever and in many cases with
hemorrhagic events and circulatory failure. In the present paper, a
mathematical model is proposed to simulate the succession of dengue
disease transmission in pregnancy and infancy. Stability analysis of
the equilibrium points is carried out and a simulation is given for the
different sets of parameter. Moreover, the bifurcation diagrams of our
model are discussed. The controlling of this disease in infant cases is
introduced in the term of the threshold condition.