Abstract: Wastages such as grated coconut meat, spent tea and used sugarcane had contributed negative impacts to the environment. Vermicomposting method is fully utilized to manage the wastes towards a more sustainable approach. The worms that are used in the vermicomposting are Eisenia foetida and Eudrillus euginae. This research shows that the vermicompost of wastages has voltage of electrical energy and is able to light up the Light-Emitting Diode (LED) device. Based on the experiment, the use of replicated and double compartments of the component will produce double of voltage. Hence, for conclusion, this harmless and low cost technology of vermicompost can act as a dry cell in order to reduce the usage of hazardous chemicals that can contaminate the environment.
Abstract: Term Extraction, a key data preparation step in Text
Mining, extracts the terms, i.e. relevant collocation of words,
attached to specific concepts (e.g. genetic-algorithms and decisiontrees
are terms associated to the concept “Machine Learning" ). In
this paper, the task of extracting interesting collocations is achieved
through a supervised learning algorithm, exploiting a few
collocations manually labelled as interesting/not interesting. From
these examples, the ROGER algorithm learns a numerical function,
inducing some ranking on the collocations. This ranking is optimized
using genetic algorithms, maximizing the trade-off between the false
positive and true positive rates (Area Under the ROC curve). This
approach uses a particular representation for the word collocations,
namely the vector of values corresponding to the standard statistical
interestingness measures attached to this collocation. As this
representation is general (over corpora and natural languages),
generality tests were performed by experimenting the ranking
function learned from an English corpus in Biology, onto a French
corpus of Curriculum Vitae, and vice versa, showing a good
robustness of the approaches compared to the state-of-the-art Support
Vector Machine (SVM).
Abstract: Prediction of viscosity of natural gas is an important parameter in the energy industries such as natural gas storage and transportation. In this study viscosity of different compositions of natural gas is modeled by using an artificial neural network (ANN) based on back-propagation method. A reliable database including more than 3841 experimental data of viscosity for testing and training of ANN is used. The designed neural network can predict the natural gas viscosity using pseudo-reduced pressure and pseudo-reduced temperature with AARD% of 0.221. The accuracy of designed ANN has been compared to other published empirical models. The comparison indicates that the proposed method can provide accurate results.
Abstract: Light is one of the most important qualitative and
symbolic factors and has a special position in architecture and urban
development in regard to practical function. The main function of
light, either natural or artificial, is lighting up the environment and
the constructional forms which is called lighting. However, light is
used to redefine the urban spaces by architectural genius with regard
to three aesthetic, conceptual and symbolic factors. In architecture
and urban development, light has a function beyond lighting up the
environment, and the designers consider it as one of the basic
components. The present research aims at studying the function of
light and color in architectural view and their effects in buildings.
Abstract: In 2002 an amendment to SOLAS opened for
lightweight material constructions in vessels if the same fire safety as
in steel constructions could be obtained. FISPAT (FIreSPread
Analysis Tool) is a computer application that simulates fire spread
and fault injection in cruise vessels and identifies fire sensitive areas.
It was developed to analyze cruise vessel designs and provides a
method to evaluate network layout and safety of cruise vessels. It
allows fast, reliable and deterministic exhaustive simulations and
presents the result in a graphical vessel model. By performing the
analysis iteratively while altering the cruise vessel design it can be
used along with fire chamber experiments to show that the
lightweight design can be as safe as a steel construction and that
SOLAS regulations are fulfilled.
Abstract: A multicriteria linear programming problem with integer variables and parameterized optimality principle "from lexicographic to Slater" is considered. A situation in which initial coefficients of penalty cost functions are not fixed but may be potentially a subject to variations is studied. For any efficient solution, appropriate measures of the quality are introduced which incorporate information about variations of penalty cost function coefficients. These measures correspond to the so-called stability and accuracy functions defined earlier for efficient solutions of a generic multicriteria combinatorial optimization problem with Pareto and lexicographic optimality principles. Various properties of such functions are studied and maximum norms of perturbations for which an efficient solution preserves the property of being efficient are calculated.
Abstract: While compressing text files is useful, compressing
still image files is almost a necessity. A typical image takes up much
more storage than a typical text message and without compression
images would be extremely clumsy to store and distribute. The
amount of information required to store pictures on modern
computers is quite large in relation to the amount of bandwidth
commonly available to transmit them over the Internet and
applications. Image compression addresses the problem of reducing
the amount of data required to represent a digital image. Performance
of any image compression method can be evaluated by measuring the
root-mean-square-error & peak signal to noise ratio. The method of
image compression that will be analyzed in this paper is based on the
lossy JPEG image compression technique, the most popular
compression technique for color images. JPEG compression is able to
greatly reduce file size with minimal image degradation by throwing
away the least “important" information. In JPEG, both color
components are downsampled simultaneously, but in this paper we
will compare the results when the compression is done by
downsampling the single chroma part. In this paper we will
demonstrate more compression ratio is achieved when the
chrominance blue is downsampled as compared to downsampling the
chrominance red in JPEG compression. But the peak signal to noise
ratio is more when the chrominance red is downsampled as compared
to downsampling the chrominance blue in JPEG compression. In
particular we will use the hats.jpg as a demonstration of JPEG
compression using low pass filter and demonstrate that the image is
compressed with barely any visual differences with both methods.
Abstract: This paper presents Genetic Algorithm (GA) based
approach for the allocation of FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission
System) devices for the improvement of Power transfer capacity in an
interconnected Power System. The GA based approach is applied on
IEEE 30 BUS System. The system is reactively loaded starting from
base to 200% of base load. FACTS devices are installed in the
different locations of the power system and system performance is
noticed with and without FACTS devices. First, the locations, where
the FACTS devices to be placed is determined by calculating active
and reactive power flows in the lines. Genetic Algorithm is then
applied to find the amount of magnitudes of the FACTS devices. This
approach of GA based placement of FACTS devices is tremendous
beneficial both in terms of performance and economy is clearly
observed from the result obtained.
Abstract: In this paper delamination phenomenon in
Carbon-Epoxy laminated composite material is investigated
numerically. Arcan apparatus and specimen is modeled in ABAQUS
finite element software for different loading conditions and crack
geometries. The influence of variation of crack geometry on
interlaminar fracture stress intensity factor and energy release rate for
various mixed mode ratios and pure mode I and II was studied. Also,
correction factors for this specimen for different crack length ratios
were calculated. The finite element results indicate that for loading
angles close to pure mode-II loading, a high ratio of mode-II to
mode-I fracture is dominant and there is an opposite trend for loading
angles close to pure mode-I loading. It confirms that by varying the
loading angle of Arcan specimen pure mode-I, pure mode-II and a
wide range of mixed-mode loading conditions can be created and
tested. Also, numerical results confirm that the increase of the mode-
II loading contribution leads to an increase of fracture resistance in
the CF/PEI composite (i.e., a reduction in the total strain energy
release rate) and the increase of the crack length leads to a reduction
of interlaminar fracture resistance in the CF/PEI composite (i.e., an
increase in the total interlaminar strain energy release rate).
Abstract: This article considers with the influence of selected economic indicators for the development of the Zlin region. Development of the region is mainly influenced by business entities which are located in the region, as well as investors who contribute to the development of regions. For the development of the region it is necessary for skilled workers remain in the region and not to leave these skilled workers. The above-mentioned and other factors are affecting the development of each region.
Abstract: The paper gives the pilot results of the project that is
oriented on the use of data mining techniques and knowledge
discoveries from production systems through them. They have been
used in the management of these systems. The simulation models of
manufacturing systems have been developed to obtain the necessary
data about production. The authors have developed the way of
storing data obtained from the simulation models in the data
warehouse. Data mining model has been created by using specific
methods and selected techniques for defined problems of production
system management. The new knowledge has been applied to
production management system. Gained knowledge has been tested
on simulation models of the production system. An important benefit
of the project has been proposal of the new methodology. This
methodology is focused on data mining from the databases that store
operational data about the production process.
Abstract: A framework to estimate the state of dynamically
varying environment where data are generated from heterogeneous
sources possessing partial knowledge about the environment is presented.
This is entirely derived within Dempster-Shafer and Evidence
Filtering frameworks. The belief about the current state is expressed
as belief and plausibility functions. An addition to Single Input
Single Output Evidence Filter, Multiple Input Single Output Evidence
Filtering approach is introduced. Variety of applications such as
situational estimation of an emergency environment can be developed
within the framework successfully. Fire propagation scenario is used
to justify the proposed framework, simulation results are presented.
Abstract: Recent advances in wireless sensor networks have led
to many routing methods designed for energy-efficiency in wireless
sensor networks. Despite that many routing methods have been
proposed in USN, a single routing method cannot be energy-efficient
if the environment of the ubiquitous sensor network varies. We present
the controlling network access to various hosts and the services they
offer, rather than on securing them one by one with a network security
model. When ubiquitous sensor networks are deployed in hostile
environments, an adversary may compromise some sensor nodes and
use them to inject false sensing reports. False reports can lead to not
only false alarms but also the depletion of limited energy resource in
battery powered networks. The interleaved hop-by-hop authentication
scheme detects such false reports through interleaved authentication.
This paper presents a LMDD (Low energy method for data delivery)
algorithm that provides energy-efficiency by dynamically changing
protocols installed at the sensor nodes. The algorithm changes
protocols based on the output of the fuzzy logic which is the fitness
level of the protocols for the environment.
Abstract: Dynamic Causal Modeling (DCM) functional
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is a promising technique to
study the connectivity among brain regions and effects of stimuli
through modeling neuronal interactions from time-series
neuroimaging. The aim of this study is to study characteristics of a
mirror neuron system (MNS) in elderly group (age: 60-70 years old).
Twenty volunteers were MRI scanned with visual stimuli to study a
functional brain network. DCM was employed to determine the
mechanism of mirror neuron effects. The results revealed major
activated areas including precentral gyrus, inferior parietal lobule,
inferior occipital gyrus, and supplementary motor area. When visual
stimuli were presented, the feed-forward connectivity from visual
area to conjunction area was increased and forwarded to motor area.
Moreover, the connectivity from the conjunction areas to premotor
area was also increased. Such findings can be useful for future
diagnostic process for elderly with diseases such as Parkinson-s and
Alzheimer-s.
Abstract: The utilize of renewable energy sources becomes
more crucial and fascinatingly, wider application of renewable
energy devices at domestic, commercial and industrial levels is not
only affect to stronger awareness but also significantly installed
capacities. Moreover, biomass principally is in form of woods and
converts to be energy for using by humans for a long time.
Gasification is a process of conversion of solid carbonaceous fuel
into combustible gas by partial combustion. Many gasified models
have various operating conditions because the parameters kept in
each model are differentiated. This study applied the experimental
data including three inputs variables including biomass consumption;
temperature at combustion zone and ash discharge rate and gas flow
rate as only one output variable. In this paper, response surface
methods were applied for identification of the gasified system
equation suitable for experimental data. The result showed that linear
model gave superlative results.
Abstract: Prickly pear juice has received renewed attention with regard to the effects of processing and preservation on its sensory qualities (colour, taste, flavour, aroma, astringency, visual browning and overall acceptability). Juice was prepared by homogenizing fruit and treating the pulp with pectinase (Aspergillus niger). Juice treatments applied were sugar addition, acidification, heat-treatment, refrigeration, and freezing and thawing. Prickly pear pulp and juice had unique properties (low pH 3.88, soluble solids 3.68 oBrix and high titratable acidity 0.47). Sensory profiling and descriptive analyses revealed that non-treated juice had a bitter taste with high astringency whereas treated prickly pear was significantly sweeter. All treated juices had a good sensory acceptance with values approximating or exceeding 7. Regression analysis of the consumer sensory attributes for non-treated prickly pear juice indicated an overwhelming rejection, while treated prickly pear juice received overall acceptability. Thus, educed favourable sensory responses and may have positive implications for consumer acceptability.
Abstract: Towards the end of 19th century, the discovery of tin
and the growing importance of rubber, had led Malaya to once again
become the centre of attraction to western colonization, which later
on caused the region to be influxed by cheap labour from China and
India. One of the factors which attracted the alien communities was
the characteristics of social relation offered by the Malays. If one
analyzes the history of social relation of the Malays either among
themselves or their relation with alien communities, it is apparent that
the community places high regards to values such as tolerant,
cooperative, respectful and helpful with each other. In fact, all these
values are deeply rooted in the value of 'budi'. With the arrival of
Islam, the value of 'budi' had been well assimilated with Islamic
values thus giving birth to the value of 'budi-Islam'. Through 'budi-
Islam', the Malay conducted their dealings with British as well the
other communities during the time of peace or conflict. This value is
well nurtured due to the geographical circumstances like the fertile,
naturally rich land and bountiful marine life. Besides, a set of Malay
customs known as 'adat' custom contributed in enhancing the values
of budi.
Abstract: Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is one of the most
important catalytic reactions that convert the synthetic gas to light
and heavy hydrocarbons. One of the main issues is selecting the type
of reactor. The slurry bubble reactor is suitable choice for Fischer-
Tropsch synthesis because of its good qualification to transfer heat
and mass, high durability of catalyst, low cost maintenance and
repair. The more common catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are
Iron-based and Cobalt-based catalysts, the advantage of these
catalysts on each other depends on which type of hydrocarbons we
desire to produce. In this study, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is modeled
with Iron and Cobalt catalysts in a slurry bubble reactor considering
mass and momentum balance and the hydrodynamic relations effect
on the reactor behavior. Profiles of reactant conversion and reactant
concentration in gas and liquid phases were determined as the
functions of residence time in the reactor. The effects of temperature,
pressure, liquid velocity, reactor diameter, catalyst diameter, gasliquid
and liquid-solid mass transfer coefficients and kinetic
coefficients on the reactant conversion have been studied. With 5%
increase of liquid velocity (with Iron catalyst), H2 conversions
increase about 6% and CO conversion increase about 4%, With 8%
increase of liquid velocity (with Cobalt catalyst), H2 conversions
increase about 26% and CO conversion increase about 4%. With
20% increase of gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient (with Iron
catalyst), H2 conversions increase about 12% and CO conversion
increase about 10% and with Cobalt catalyst H2 conversions increase
about 10% and CO conversion increase about 6%. Results show that
the process is sensitive to gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient and
optimum condition operation occurs in maximum possible liquid
velocity. This velocity must be more than minimum fluidization
velocity and less than terminal velocity in such a way that avoid
catalysts particles from leaving the fluidized bed.
Abstract: In this paper, we present C@sa, a multiagent system aiming at modeling, controlling and simulating the behavior of an intelligent house. The developed system aims at providing to architects, designers and psychologists a simulation and control tool for understanding which is the impact of embedded and pervasive technology on people daily life. In this vision, the house is seen as an environment made up of independent and distributed devices, controlled by agents, interacting to support user's goals and tasks.
Abstract: Intellectual capital measurement is a central aspect of knowledge management. The measurement and the evaluation of intangible assets play a key role in allowing an effective management of these assets as sources of competitiveness. For these reasons, managers and practitioners need conceptual and analytical tools taking into account the unique characteristics and economic significance of Intellectual Capital. Following this lead, we propose an efficiency and productivity analysis of Intellectual Capital, as a determinant factor of the company competitive advantage. The analysis is carried out by means of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI). These techniques identify Bests Practice companies that have accomplished competitive advantage implementing successful strategies of Intellectual Capital management, and offer to inefficient companies development paths by means of benchmarking. The proposed methodology is employed on the Biotechnology industry in the period 2007-2010.