Abstract: In this paper it was examined the influence of margin
regulation on stock market volatility in EU 1993 – 2014. Regulating
margin requirements or haircuts for securities financing transactions
has for a long time been considered as a potential tool to limit the
build-up of leverage and dampen volatility in financial markets. The
margin requirement dictates how much investors can borrow against
these securities. Margin can be an important part of investment.
Using daily and monthly stock returns and there is no convincing
evidence that EU Regulation margin requirements have served to
dampen stock market volatility. In this paper was detected the
expected negative relation between margin requirements and the
amount of margin credit outstanding. Also, it confirmed that changes
in margin requirements by the EU regulation have tended to follow
than lead changes in market volatility. For the analysis have been
used the modified Levene statistics to test whether the standard
deviation of stock returns in the 25, 50 and 100 days preceding
margin changes is the same as that in the succeeding 25, 50 and 100
days. The analysis started in May 1993 when it was first empowered
to set the initial margin requirement and the last sample was in May
2014. To test whether margin requirements influence stock market
volatility over the long term, the sample of stock returns was divided
into 14 periods, according to the 14 changes in margin requirements.
Abstract: The objective of the Economic Dispatch(ED) Problems
of electric power generation is to schedule the committed generating
units outputs so as to meet the required load demand at minimum
operating cost while satisfying all units and system equality and
inequality constraints. This paper presents a new method of ED
problems utilizing the Max-Min Ant System Optimization.
Historically, traditional optimizations techniques have been used,
such as linear and non-linear programming, but within the past
decade the focus has shifted on the utilization of Evolutionary
Algorithms, as an example Genetic Algorithms, Simulated Annealing
and recently Ant Colony Optimization (ACO). In this paper we
introduce the Max-Min Ant System based version of the Ant System.
This algorithm encourages local searching around the best solution
found in each iteration. To show its efficiency and effectiveness, the
proposed Max-Min Ant System is applied to sample ED problems
composed of 4 generators. Comparison to conventional genetic
algorithms is presented.
Abstract: Software reusability is an essential characteristic of
Component-Based Software (CBS). The component reusability is an
important assess for the effective reuse of components in CBS. The
attributes of reusability proposed by various researchers are studied
and four of them are identified as potential factors affecting
reusability. This paper proposes metric for reusability estimation of
black-box software component along with metrics for Interface
Complexity, Understandability, Customizability and Reliability. An
experiment is performed for estimation of reusability through a case
study on a sample web application using a real world component.
Abstract: Distributed Generation (DG) can help in reducing the
cost of electricity to the costumer, relieve network congestion and
provide environmentally friendly energy close to load centers. Its
capacity is also scalable and it provides voltage support at distribution
level. Hence, DG placement and penetration level is an important
problem for both the utility and DG owner. DG allocation and capacity
determination is a nonlinear optimization problem. The objective
function of this problem is the minimization of the total loss of the
distribution system. Also high levels of penetration of DG are a new
challenge for traditional electric power systems. This paper presents a
new methodology for the optimal placement of DG and penetration
level of DG in distribution system based on General Algebraic
Modeling System (GAMS) and Genetic Algorithm (GA).
Abstract: Composites depending on the nature of their
constituents and mode of production are regarded as one of the
advanced materials that drive today’s technology. This paper
attempts a short review of the subject matter with a general aim of
pushing to the next level the frontier of knowledge as it impacts the
technology of nano-particles manufacturing. The objectives entail an
effort to; aggregate recent research efforts in this field, analyse
research findings and observations, streamline research efforts and
support industry in taking decision on areas of fund deployment. It is
envisaged that this work will serve as a quick hand-on compendium
material for researchers in this field and a guide to relevant
government departments wishing to fund a research whose outcomes
have the potential of improving the nation’s GDP.
Abstract: This paper focuses on the contemporary phenomenon
of Anti-Gypsyism which diffused widely throughout social
representations of the so called “Gypsies”. In Europe and especially
in Italy, the media tends to reproduce racist stereotypes and
prejudices through a xenophobic depiction of this ethnic group, often
offering an ethnocentric point of view. From an anthropological
perspective, Roma people are a minority group facing diasporic
phenomena across Europe, produced by the host societies.
Abstract: In an urban area the location allocation of emergency
services mobile units, such as ambulances, police patrol cars must be
designed so as to achieve a prompt response to demand locations.
In this paper the partition of a given urban network into distinct
sub-networks is performed such that the vertices in each component
are close and simultaneously the sums of the corresponding
population in the sub-networks are almost uniform. The objective
here is to position appropriately in each sub-network a mobile
emergency unit in order to reduce the response time to the demands.
A mathematical model in framework of graph theory is developed.
In order to clarify the corresponding method a relevant numerical
example is presented on a small network.
Abstract: Series of laboratory tests were carried out to study the
extent of scour caused by a three-dimensional wall jets exiting from a
square cross-section nozzle and into a non-cohesive sand beds.
Previous observations have indicated that the effect of the tail water
depth was significant for densimetric Froude number greater than ten.
However, the present results indicate that the cut off value could be
lower depending on the value of grain size-to-nozzle width ratio.
Numbers of equations are drawn out for a better scaling of numerous
scour parameters. Also suggested the empirical prediction of scour to
predict the scour centre line profile and plan view of scour profile at
any particular time.
Abstract: Reduction of CO2 emissions has become a priority for
several countries due to increasing concerns about global warming
and climate change, especially in the developed countries. Residential
sector is considered one of the most important sectors for
considerable reduction of CO2 emissions since it represents a
significant amount of the total consumed energy in those countries. A
significant CO2 reduction cannot be achieved unless some initiatives
have been adopted in the policy of these countries. Introducing micro
combined heat and power (!CHP) systems into residential energy
systems is one of these initiatives, since such a technology offers
several advantages. Moreover, !CHP technology has the opportunity
to be operated not only by natural gas but it could also be operated by
renewable fuels. However, this technology can be operated by
different operation strategies. Each strategy has some advantages and
disadvantages.
This paper provides a review of different operation strategies of
such a technology used for residential energy systems, especially for
single dwellings. The review summarizes key points that outline the
trend of previous research carried out in this field.
Abstract: Weed suppression and weeding are necessary measures
for rice cultivation. Weed suppression precedes the process of
weeding. It means suppressing the growth of young weeds and
creating a weed-less environment. If we suppress the growth of weeds,
we can reduce the number of weeds in a paddy field. This would result
in a reduction of the weeding work load.
In this paper, we will show how we developed a weed suppression
robot for the purpose of reducing the weeding work load. The robot
has a laser range finder for autonomous mobility and a robot arm for
weed suppression. It travels along the rice rows without stepping on
and injuring the rice plants in a paddy field. The robot arm applies
force to the weed seedlings and thereby suppresses the growth of
weeds. This paper will explain the methodology of the autonomous
mobile, the experiment in weed suppression, and the method of
controlling the robot’s posture on uneven ground.
Abstract: Since the marine environmental conditions are
extremely different from the other ones, marine actinomycetes might
produce novel bioactive compounds. Therefore, actinomycete strains
were screened from marine water and sediment samples collected
from the coastal areas of Northern Vietnam. Ninety-nine
actinomycete strains were obtained on starch-casein agar media by
dilution technique, only seven strains, named HP112, HP12, HP411,
HPN11, HP 11, HPT13 and HPX12, showed significant antibacterial
activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
(Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Staphylococcus epidemidis ATCC
12228, Escherichia coli ATCC 11105). Further studies were carried
out with the most active HP411 strain against Candida albicans
ATCC 10231. This strain could grow rapidly on starch casein agar
and other media with high salt containing 7-10% NaCl at 28-30oC.
Spore-chain of HP411 showed an elongated and circular shape with
10 to 30 spores/chain. Identification of the strain was carried out by
employing the taxonomical studies including the 16S rRNA
sequence. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence it is
proposed that HP411 to be belongs to species Streptomyces
variabilis. The potent of the crude extract of fermentation broth of
HP411 that are effective against wide range of pathogens: both grampositive,
gram-negative and fungi. Further studies revealed that the
crude extract HP411 could obtain the anticancer activity for cancer
cell lines: Hep-G2 (liver cancer cell line); RD (cardiac and skeletal
muscle letters cell line); FL (membrane of the uterus cancer cell line).
However, the actinomycetes from marine ecosystem will be useful
for the discovery of new drugs in the future.
Abstract: Inland Waterway Transportation (IWT) is playing an
important role in national transport systems, water transportation is
considered to be safe, energy efficient and environmentally friendly
mode of transport, all benefits of IWT cause national awareness
increase, for instance the Colombian government is planning to
restore the navigability of the most important river of the country, the
Magdalena’s River navigability, embrace waterway transportation in
Colombia could strength competitiveness while reduce most of the
transport externalities. However, the current situation of the
Magdalena is deplorable, the most important river of Colombia has
been abandoned for decades and the solution is beyond of a single
administrative entity. This paper analyzes the outcomes of the
Navigation And Inland Waterway Action and Development in
Europe program (NAIADES) as a prospective to develop a similar
program in Colombia with similar objectives and guidelines,
considering sustainability, guarantying the long-term future results
and adaptability of the program. Identifying stakeholders and policy
experts, a set of individual interviews were carried out; findings
support the idea of lack of integration within governmental
institutions and lack of importance in marketing promotion as
possible drawbacks on the implementation of IWT projects.
Abstract: Climate warming would increase rainfall by shifting
precipitation falling form from snow to rain, and would accelerate
snow cover disappearing by increasing snowpack. Using temperature
and precipitation data in the temperature-index snowmelt model, we
evaluated variability of snowfall and continuous snow cover duration
(CSCD) during 1944-2010 over Pelso, central Finland. Mann-
Kendall non-parametric test determined that annual precipitation
increased by 2.69 (mm/year, p
Abstract: Using ETABS software, this study analyzed 23
buildings to evaluate effects of mistakes during construction phase on
buildings structural behavior. For modelling, two different loadings
were assumed: 1) design loading and 2) loading due to the effects of
mistakes in construction phase. Research results determined that
considering traditional construction methods for buildings resulted in
a significant increase in dead loads and consequently intensified the
displacements and base-shears of buildings under seismic loads.
Abstract: Food contamination occurs during post process
handling. This leads to spoilage and growth of pathogenic
microorganisms in the food, thereby reducing its shelf life or
spreading of food borne diseases. Several methods are tried and one
of which is use of antimicrobial packaging. Here, papain, a protease
enzyme, is covalently immobilized with the help of glutarldehyde on
polyurethane and used as a food wrap to protect food from microbial
contamination. Covalent immobilization of papain was achieved at a
pH of 7.4; temperature of 4°C; glutaraldehyde concentration of 0.5%;
incubation time of 24h; and 50mg of papain. The formation of -C=Nobserved
in the Fourier transform infrared spectrum confirmed the
immobilization of the enzyme on the polymer. Immobilized enzyme
retained higher activity than the native free enzyme. The modified
polyurethane showed better reduction of Staphylococcus aureus
biofilm than bare polymer film (eight folds reduction in live colonies,
two times reduction in protein and 6 times reduction in
carbohydrates). The efficacy of this was studied by wrapping it over
S. aureus contaminated cottage cheese (paneer) and cheese and
stored at a temperature of 4°C for 7days. The modified film reduced
the bacterial contamination by eight folds when compared to the bare
film. FTIR also indicated reduction in lipids, sugars and proteins in
the biofilm.
Abstract: The liver is the strongest regenerating organ of the
organism, and even with 2/3 surgically removed, it can regenerate
completely. Hence liver cirrhosis may only develop when the
regenerating system is off.
We present the results of a comparative study of structural and
functional characteristics of rat liver tissue under the conditions of
toxic liver cirrhosis development, induced by carbon tetrachloride,
and its prevention/treatment by natural compounds with antioxidant
and immune stimulating action. Studies were made on Wister rats,
weighing 120~140 g. Grape seeds extracts, separately and in
combination with well-known anticirrhotic drug ursodeoxycholic
acid (Urdoxa), have demonstrated effectiveness in prevention of liver
cirrhosis development and its treatment.
Abstract: Collapsible soils go through radical rearrangement of
their particles when triggered by water, stress or/and vibration,
causing loss of volume. This loss of volume in soil as seen in
foundation failures has caused millions of dollars’ worth of damages
to public facilities and infrastructure and so has an adverse effect on
the society and people. Despite these consequences and the several
studies that are available, more research is still required in the study
of soil collapsibility. Discerning the pedogenesis (formation) of soils
and investigating the combined effects of the different geological soil
properties is key to elucidating and quantifying soils collapsibility.
This study presents a novel laboratory testing regime that would be
undertaken on soil samples where the effects of soil type, compactive
variables (moisture content, density, void ratio, degree of saturation)
and loading are analyzed. It is anticipated that results obtained would
be useful in mapping the trend of the combined effect thus the basis
for evaluating soil collapsibility or collapse potentials encountered in
construction with volume loss problems attributed to collapse.
Abstract: South Africa has some regions which are susceptible
to moderate seismic activity. A peak ground acceleration of between
0.1g and 0.15g can be expected in the southern parts of the Western
Cape. Unreinforced Masonry (URM) is commonly used as a
construction material for 2 to 5 storey buildings in underprivileged
areas in and around Cape Town. URM is typically regarded as the
material most vulnerable to damage when subjected to earthquake
excitation. In this study, a three-storey URM building was analysed
by applying seven earthquake time-histories, which can be expected
to occur in South Africa using a finite element approach.
Experimental data was used to calibrate the in- and out-of-plane
stiffness of the URM. The results indicated that tensile cracking of
the in-plane piers was the dominant failure mode. It is concluded that
URM buildings of this type are at risk of failure especially if
sufficient ductility is not provided. The results also showed that
connection failure must be investigated further.
Abstract: Pavement surface unevenness plays a pivotal role on
roughness index of road which affects on riding comfort ability.
Comfort ability refers to the degree of protection offered to vehicle
occupants from uneven elements in the road surface. So, it is
preferable to have a lower roughness index value for a better riding
quality of road users. Roughness is generally defined as an
expression of irregularities in the pavement surface which can be
measured using different equipments like MERLIN, Bump integrator,
Profilometer etc. Among them Bump Integrator is quite simple and
less time consuming in case of long road sections. A case study is
conducted on low volume roads in West District in Tripura to
determine roughness index (RI) using Bump Integrator at the
standard speed of 32 km/h. But it becomes too tough to maintain the
requisite standard speed throughout the road section. The speed of
Bump Integrator (BI) has to lower or higher in some distinctive
situations. So, it becomes necessary to convert these roughness index
values of other speeds to the standard speed of 32 km/h. This paper
highlights on that roughness index conversional model. Using SPSS
(Statistical Package of Social Sciences) software a generalized
equation is derived among the RI value at standard speed of 32 km/h
and RI value at other speed conditions.
Abstract: Electricity is recognized as fundamental to
industrialization and improving the quality of life of the people.
Harnessing the immense untapped hydropower potential in Tripura
region opens avenues for growth and provides an opportunity to
improve the well-being of the people of the region, while making
substantial contribution to the national economy. Gumti hydro power
plant generates power to mitigate the crisis of power in Tripura,
India. The first unit of hydro power plant (5MW) was commissioned
in June 1976 & another two units of 5 MW was commissioned
simultaneously. But out of 15MW capacity at present only 8MW-
9MW power is produced from Gumti hydro power plant during rainy
season. But during lean season the production reduces to 0.5MW due
to shortage of water. Now, it is essential to implement some
mitigation measures so that the further atrocities can be prevented
and originality will be possible to restore. The decision making
ability of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Concordance
Analysis Techniques (CAT) are utilized to identify the better decision
or solution to the present problem. Some related attributes are
identified by the method of surveying within the experts and the
available reports and literatures. Similar criteria are removed and
ultimately seven relevant ones are identified. All the attributes are
compared with each other and rated accordingly to their importance
over the other with the help of Pair wise Comparison Matrix. In the
present investigation different mitigation measures are identified and
compared to find the best suitable alternative which can solve the
present uncertainties involving the existence of the Gumti Hydro
Power Plant.