Abstract: Natural gas flow contains undesirable solid particles,
liquid condensation, and/or oil droplets and requires reliable
removing equipment to perform filtration. Recent natural gas
processing applications are demanded compactness and reliability of
process equipment. Since conventional means are sophisticated in
design, poor in efficiency, and continue lacking robust, a supersonic
nozzle has been introduced as an alternative means to meet such
demands.
A 3-D Convergent-Divergent Nozzle is simulated using
commercial Code for pressure ratio (NPR) varies from 1.2 to 2. Six
different shapes of nozzle are numerically examined to illustrate the
position of shock-wave as such spot could be considered as a
benchmark of particle separation. Rectangle, triangle, circular,
elliptical, pentagon, and hexagon nozzles are simulated using Fluent
Code with all have same cross-sectional area.
The simple one-dimensional inviscid theory does not describe the
actual features of fluid flow precisely as it ignores the impact of
nozzle configuration on the flow properties. CFD Simulation results,
however, show that nozzle geometry influences the flow structures
including location of shock wave.
The CFD analysis predicts shock appearance when p01/pa>1.2 for
almost all geometry and locates at the lower area ratio (Ae/At).
Simulation results showed that shock wave in Elliptical nozzle has
the farthest distance from the throat among the others at relatively
small NPR. As NPR increases, hexagon would be the farthest. The
numerical result is compared with available experimental data and
has shown good agreement in terms of shock location and flow
structure.
Abstract: SQL injection on web applications is a very popular
kind of attack. There are mechanisms such as intrusion detection
systems in order to detect this attack. These strategies often rely on
techniques implemented at high layers of the application but do not
consider the low level of system calls. The problem of only
considering the high level perspective is that an attacker can
circumvent the detection tools using certain techniques such as URL
encoding. One technique currently used for detecting low-level
attacks on privileged processes is the tracing of system calls. System
calls act as a single gate to the Operating System (OS) kernel; they
allow catching the critical data at an appropriate level of detail. Our
basic assumption is that any type of application, be it a system
service, utility program or Web application, “speaks” the language of
system calls when having a conversation with the OS kernel. At this
level we can see the actual attack while it is happening. We conduct
an experiment in order to demonstrate the suitability of system call
analysis for detecting SQL injection. We are able to detect the attack.
Therefore we conclude that system calls are not only powerful in
detecting low-level attacks but that they also enable us to detect highlevel
attacks such as SQL injection.
Abstract: Analysis of reciprocating equipment piston rod leads
to nonlinear elastic-plastic deformation analysis of rod with initial
imperfection under axial dynamic load. In this paper a new and
effective model and analytical formulations are presented to evaluate
dynamic deformation and elastic-plastic stresses of reciprocating
machine piston rod. This new method has capability to account for
geometric nonlinearity, elastic-plastic deformation and dynamic
effects. Proposed method can be used for evaluation of piston rod
performance for various reciprocating machines under different
operation situations. Rod load curves and maximum allowable rod
load are calculated with presented method for a refinery type
reciprocating compressor. Useful recommendations and guidelines
for rod load, rod load reversal and rod drop monitoring are also
addressed.
Abstract: This study investigates the roles of knowledge
acquisition, absorptive capacity, and innovation capability in finance
and manufacturing industries. With 362 valid questionnaires from
manufactures and financial industries in Taiwan, we examine the
relationships between absorptive capacity, knowledge acquisition and
innovation capability using a structural equation model. The results
indicate that absorptive capacity is the mediator between knowledge
acquisition and innovation capability, and that knowledge acquisition
has a positive effect on absorptive capacity.
Abstract: In this paper, linear multistep technique using power
series as the basis function is used to develop the block methods
which are suitable for generating direct solution of the special second
order ordinary differential equations of the form y′′ = f(x,y), a < = x < = b with associated initial or boundary conditions. The continuaous hybrid formulations enable us to differentiate and evaluate at some
grids and off – grid points to obtain two different three discrete
schemes, each of order (4,4,4)T, which were used in block form for
parallel or sequential solutions of the problems. The computational
burden and computer time wastage involved in the usual reduction of
second order problem into system of first order equations are avoided
by this approach. Furthermore, a stability analysis and efficiency of
the block method are tested on linear and non-linear ordinary
differential equations whose solutions are oscillatory or nearly
periodic in nature, and the results obtained compared favourably with
the exact solution.
Abstract: An effort estimation model is needed for softwareintensive
projects that consist of hardware, embedded software or
some combination of the two, as well as high level software
solutions. This paper first focuses on functional decomposition
techniques to measure functional complexity of a computer system
and investigates its impact on system development effort. Later, it
examines effects of technical difficulty and design team capability
factors in order to construct the best effort estimation model. With
using traditional regression analysis technique, the study develops a
system development effort estimation model which takes functional
complexity, technical difficulty and design team capability factors as
input parameters. Finally, the assumptions of the model are tested.
Abstract: The company-s ability to draw on a range of external
sources to meet their needs for innovation, has been termed 'open
innovation' (OI). Very few empirical analyses have been conducted
on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the extent that they
describe and understand the characteristics and implications of this
new paradigm.
The study's objective is to identify and characterize different
modes of OI, (considering innovation process phases and the variety
and breadth of the collaboration), determinants, barriers and
motivations in SMEs. Therefore a survey was carried out among
Italian manufacturing firms and a database of 105 companies was
obtained. With regard to data elaboration, a factorial and cluster
analysis has been conducted and three different OI modes have
emerged: selective low open, unselective open upstream, and mid-
partners integrated open. The different behaviours of the three
clusters in terms of determinants factors, performance, firm-s
technology intensity, barriers and motivations have been analyzed
and discussed.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present a comparative
study on two different methods for the evaluation of the equilibrium
point of a ship, core issue for designing an On Board Stability System
(OBSS) module that, starting from geometry information of a ship
hull, described by a discrete model in a standard format, and the
distribution of all weights onboard calculates the ship floating
conditions (in draught, heel and trim).
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the
relationships among students- process of study, creative self-efficacy
and creativity while attending college. A total of 60 students enrolled
in Hsiuping Institute of Technology in central Taiwan were selected as
samples for the study. The instruments for this study included three
questionnaires to explore the aforesaid aspects.
This researchers tested creative self-efficacy and process of study,
and creativity with Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression
analyses. The major findings of this research are (1) the process of
study had direct positive predictability on creativity, and (2) the
relationship between process of study and creativity is partially
mediated by creative self-efficacy.
Abstract: There are four challenges of sustainable development
and in corporate level sustainability management-s role is to answer
for ecological sustainability challenge, social sustainability challenge,
economic sustainability challenges to environment and social
management and integration challenge of corporate sustainable
challenges by the help of different concepts, methods, instruments,
which are in the toolbox of sustainability management. These
instruments, concepts have different relevance in these challenges,
and according to different literatures environmental management is
outside of social and integration challenge. Main aim of this paper is
to represent the answer for the question that: is it true that social and
integration point of view is outside of the concept environmental
accounting? Using literature review and primer research at the end of
the paper the answer will be confirmed.
Abstract: Nowadays, several techniques such as; Fuzzy
Inference System (FIS) and Neural Network (NN) are employed for
developing of the predictive models to estimate parameters of water
quality. The main objective of this study is to compare between the
predictive ability of the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System
(ANFIS) model and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to
estimate the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) on data from 11
sampling sites of Saen Saep canal in Bangkok, Thailand. The data is
obtained from the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration, during 2004-2011. The five parameters
of water quality namely Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chemical Oxygen
Demand (COD), Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3N), Nitrate Nitrogen
(NO3N), and Total Coliform bacteria (T-coliform) are used as the
input of the models. These water quality indices affect the
biochemical oxygen demand. The experimental results indicate that
the ANN model provides a higher correlation coefficient (R=0.73)
and a lower root mean square error (RMSE=4.53) than the
corresponding ANFIS model.
Abstract: The development of renewable energies - particularly energy from wind, water, solar power and biomass - is a central aim of the European Commission's energy policy. There are several reasons for this choice: renewable energies are sustainable, nonpolluting, widely available and clean. Increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy balance enhances sustainability. It also helps to improve the security of energy supply by reducing the Community's growing dependence on imported energy sources.In this paper it was studied the possibility to realize three photovoltaic systems in the Italian Natural Park “Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi". The first photovoltaic system is a grid-connected system for Services and Documentation Center of Castelletta with a nominal power of about 6 kWp. The second photovoltaic system is a grid-connected integrated system on the ticket office-s roof with a nominal power of about 4 kWp. The third project is set up by five grid-connected systems integrated on the roofs of the bungalows in Natural Park-s tourist camping with a nominal power of about 10 kWp. The electricity which is generated by all these plants is purchased according to the Italian program called “Conto Energia". Economical analysis and the amount of the avoided CO2 emissions are elaborated for these photovoltaic systems.
Abstract: In this paper, we observe that developed countries are generally equipped with innovation capabilities and produce major chunk of the world-s knowledge and technology. The contribution of developing countries, on the other hand, is insignificant, and most of them far behind the global technological front. More specifically, we empirically observe that the developing world neither contributes substantially to the world-s scientific publications nor to the R&D activities. They also have lesser “absorptive capacity" and “technological capability", and their “innovation systems" are plagued with many problems. Finally, we argue that these countries can break the shackles and improve their innovation capabilities by pursuing genuine innovation policies on long-term basis with honesty and commitment.
Abstract: This research is part of a broad program aimed at
advancing the science and technology involved in the rescue and
rehabilitation of oiled wildlife. One aspect of this research involves
the use of oil-sequestering magnetic particles for the removal of
contaminants from plumage – so-called “magnetic cleansing". This
treatment offers a number of advantages over conventional
detergent-based methods including portability - which offers the
possibility of providing a “quick clean" to the animal upon first
encounter in the field. This could be particularly advantageous
when the contaminant is toxic and/or corrosive and/or where there
is a delay in transporting the victim to a treatment centre. The
method could also be useful as part of a stabilization protocol when
large numbers of affected animals are awaiting treatment. This
presentation describes the design, development and testing of a
prototype field kit for providing a “quick clean" to contaminated
wildlife in the field.
Abstract: Understanding proteins functions is a major goal in
the post-genomic era. Proteins usually work in context of other
proteins and rarely function alone. Therefore, it is highly relevant to
study the interaction partners of a protein in order to understand its
function. Machine learning techniques have been widely applied to
predict protein-protein interactions. Kernel functions play an
important role for a successful machine learning technique. Choosing
the appropriate kernel function can lead to a better accuracy in a
binary classifier such as the support vector machines. In this paper,
we describe a Bayesian kernel for the support vector machine to
predict protein-protein interactions. The use of Bayesian kernel can
improve the classifier performance by incorporating the probability
characteristic of the available experimental protein-protein
interactions data that were compiled from different sources. In
addition, the probabilistic output from the Bayesian kernel can assist
biologists to conduct more research on the highly predicted
interactions. The results show that the accuracy of the classifier has
been improved using the Bayesian kernel compared to the standard
SVM kernels. These results imply that protein-protein interaction can
be predicted using Bayesian kernel with better accuracy compared to
the standard SVM kernels.
Abstract: The European countries that during the past two
decades based their exchange rate regimes on currency board
arrangement (CBA) are usually analysed from the perspective of
corner solution choice’s stabilisation effects. There is an open
discussion on the positive and negative background of a strict
exchange rate regime choice, although it should be seen as part of the
transition process towards the monetary union membership. The
focus of the paper is on the Baltic countries that after two decades of
a rigid exchange rate arrangement and strongly influenced by global
crisis are finishing their path towards the euro zone. Besides the
stabilising capacity, the CBA is highly vulnerable regime, with
limited developing potential. The rigidity of the exchange rate (and
monetary) system, despite the ensured credibility, do not leave
enough (or any) space for the adjustment and/or active crisis
management. Still, the Baltics are in a process of recovery, with fiscal
consolidation measures combined with (painful and politically
unpopular) measures of internal devaluation. Today, two of them
(Estonia and Latvia) are members of euro zone, fulfilling their
ultimate transition targets, but de facto exchanging one fixed regime
with another.
The paper analyses the challenges for the CBA in unstable
environment since the fixed regimes rely on imported stability and
are sensitive to external shocks. With limited monetary instruments,
these countries were oriented to the fiscal policies and used a
combination of internal devaluation and tax policy measures. Despite
their rather quick recovery, our second goal is to analyse the long
term influence that the measures had on the national economy.
Abstract: The paper shows that in the analysis of a queuing system with fixed-size batch arrivals, there emerges a set of polynomials which are a generalization of Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind. The paper uses these polynomials in assessing the transient behaviour of the overflow (equivalently call blocking) probability in the system. A key figure to note is the proportion of the overflow (or blocking) probability resident in the transient component, which is shown in the results to be more significant at the beginning of the transient and naturally decays to zero in the limit of large t. The results also show that the significance of transients is more pronounced in cases of lighter loads, but lasts longer for heavier loads.
Abstract: A new approach for timestamp ordering problem in
serializable schedules is presented. Since the number of users using
databases is increasing rapidly, the accuracy and needing high
throughput are main topics in database area. Strict 2PL does not
allow all possible serializable schedules and so does not result high
throughput. The main advantages of the approach are the ability to
enforce the execution of transaction to be recoverable and the high
achievable performance of concurrent execution in central databases.
Comparing to Strict 2PL, the general structure of the algorithm is
simple, free deadlock, and allows executing all possible serializable
schedules which results high throughput. Various examples which
include different orders of database operations are discussed.
Abstract: This paper describes studies carried out to investigate
the viability of using wireless cameras as a tool in monitoring
changes in air quality. A camera is used to monitor the change in
colour of a chemically responsive polymer within view of the camera
as it is exposed to varying chemical species concentration levels. The
camera captures this image and the colour change is analyzed by
averaging the RGB values present. This novel chemical sensing
approach is compared with an established chemical sensing method
using the same chemically responsive polymer coated onto LEDs. In
this way, the concentration levels of acetic acid in the air can be
tracked using both approaches. These approaches to chemical plume
tracking have many applications for air quality monitoring.
Abstract: ZnO heteronanostructured nanowires arrays have
been fabricated by low temperature solution method. Various
heterostructures were synthesized including CdS/ZnO,
CdSe/CdS/ZnO nanowires and Co3O4/ZnO, ZnO/SiC
nanowires. These multifunctional heterostructure nanowires
showed important applications in photocatalysts, sensors,
wettability control and solar energy conversion.