Abstract: Nowadays, cardiac disease is one of the most common
cause of death. Each year almost one million of angioplasty interventions and stents implantations are made all over the world.
Unfortunately, in 20-30% of cases neointimal proliferations leads to
restenosis occurring within the following period of 3-6 months. Three major factors are believed to contribute mostly to the edge
restenosis: (a) mechanical damage of the artery-s wall caused by the
stent implantation, (b) interaction between the stent and the blood constituents and (c) endothelial growth stimulation by small (lower
that 1.5 Pa) and oscillating wall shear stress. Assuming that this last actor is particularly important, a numerical model of restenosis
basing on wall shear stress distribution in the stented artery was elaborated. A numerical simulations of the development of in-stent
restenosis have been performed and realistic geometric patterns of a
progressing lumen reduction have been obtained
Abstract: In this paper, the relationship between learning
motivation and learning performance is explored by using exchange
theory. The relationship is concluded that external performance can
raise learning motivation and then increase learning performance. The
internal performance should be not completely neglected and the
external performance should be not attached important excessively.
The parents need self-study and must be also reeducated. The existing
education must be improved in raise of internal performance. The
incorrect learning thinking will mislead the students, parents, and
educators of next generation, when the students obtain good learning
performance in the learning environment with excess stimulants. Over
operation of external performance will result abnormal learning
thinking and violating learning goal. Learning is not only to obtain
performance. Learning quality and learning performance will be
limited as without learning motivation. The best learning motivation
is, the best learning performance is. The learning for reward is not
good for learning performance. Strategies of promoting life-long
learning are including the encouraging for learner, establishment of
good interaction learning environment, and the advertisement of the
merit and the importance of life-long learning, which can let the
learner with the correct learning motivation.
Abstract: The results show that the bridge equipped with seismic isolation bearing system shows a high amount of energy dissipation. The purpose of the present study is to analyze the overall performance of continuous curved highway viaducts with different bearing supports, with an emphasis on the effectiveness of seismic isolation based on lead rubber bearing and hedge reaction force bearing system consisted of friction sliding bearing and rubber bearing. The bridge seismic performance has been evaluated on six different cases with six bearing models. The effects of the different arrangement of bearing on the deck superstructure displacements, the seismic damage at the bottom of the piers, movement track at the pier-s top and the total and strain energies absorbed by the structure are evaluated. In conclusion, the results provide sufficient evidence of the effectiveness on the use of seismic isolation on steel curved highway bridges.
Abstract: Various intelligences and inspirations have been
adopted into the iterative searching process called as meta-heuristics.
They intelligently perform the exploration and exploitation in the
solution domain space aiming to efficiently seek near optimal
solutions. In this work, the bee algorithm, inspired by the natural
foraging behaviour of honey bees, was adapted to find the near
optimal solutions of the transportation management system, dynamic
multi-zone dispatching. This problem prepares for an uncertainty and
changing customers- demand. In striving to remain competitive,
transportation system should therefore be flexible in order to cope
with the changes of customers- demand in terms of in-bound and outbound
goods and technological innovations. To remain higher service
level but lower cost management via the minimal imbalance scenario,
the rearrangement penalty of the area, in each zone, including time
periods are also included. However, the performance of the algorithm
depends on the appropriate parameters- setting and need to be
determined and analysed before its implementation. BEE parameters
are determined through the linear constrained response surface
optimisation or LCRSOM and weighted centroid modified simplex
methods or WCMSM. Experimental results were analysed in terms
of best solutions found so far, mean and standard deviation on the
imbalance values including the convergence of the solutions
obtained. It was found that the results obtained from the LCRSOM
were better than those using the WCMSM. However, the average
execution time of experimental run using the LCRSOM was longer
than those using the WCMSM. Finally a recommendation of proper
level settings of BEE parameters for some selected problem sizes is
given as a guideline for future applications.
Abstract: Multiplication algorithms have considerable effect on
processors performance. A new high-speed, low-power
multiplication algorithm has been presented using modified Dadda
tree structure. Three important modifications have been implemented
in inner product generation step, inner product reduction step and
final addition step. Optimized algorithms have to be used into basic
computation components, such as multiplication algorithms. In this
paper, we proposed a new algorithm to reduce power, delay, and
transistor count of a multiplication algorithm implemented using low
power modified counter. This work presents a novel design for
Dadda multiplication algorithms. The proposed multiplication
algorithm includes structured parts, which have important effect on
inner product reduction tree. In this paper, a 1.3V, 64-bit carry hybrid
adder is presented for fast, low voltage applications. The new 64-bit
adder uses a new circuit to implement the proposed carry hybrid
adder. The new adder using 80 nm CMOS technology has been
implemented on 700 MHz clock frequency. The proposed
multiplication algorithm has achieved 14 percent improvement in
transistor count, 13 percent reduction in delay and 12 percent
modification in power consumption in compared with conventional
designs.
Abstract: Because of the increasing business pressures, companies must be adaptable and flexible in order to withstand them. Inadequate business processes and low level of business process orientation, that in its core accentuates business processes as opposed to business functions and focuses on process performance and customer satisfaction, hider the ability to adapt to changing environment. It has been shown in previous studies that the companies which have reached higher business process maturity level consistently outperform those that have not reached them. The aim of this paper is to provide a basic understanding of business process orientation concept and business process maturity model. Besides that the paper presents the state of business process orientation in Croatia that has been captured with a study conducted in 2013. Based on the results some practical implications and guidelines for managers are given.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a selective mutation method
for improving the performances of genetic algorithms. In selective
mutation, individuals are first ranked and then additionally mutated
one bit in a part of their strings which is selected corresponding to
their ranks. This selective mutation helps genetic algorithms to fast
approach the global optimum and to quickly escape local optima.
This results in increasing the performances of genetic algorithms.
We measured the effects of selective mutation with four function
optimization problems. It was found from extensive experiments that
the selective mutation can significantly enhance the performances of
genetic algorithms.
Abstract: Thanks to VR technology advanced, there are many
researches had used VR technology to develop a training system.
Using VR characteristics can simulate many kinds of situations to
reach our training-s goal. However, a good training system not only
considers real simulation but also considers learner-s learning
motivation. So, there are many researches started to conduct game-s
features into VR training system. We typically called this is a serious
game. It is using game-s features to engage learner-s learning
motivation. However, VR or Serious game has another important
advantage. That is simulating feature. Using this feature can create
any kinds of pressured environments. Because in the real
environment may happen any emergent situations. So, increasing the
trainees- pressure is more important when they are training. Most
pervious researches are investigated serious game-s applications and
learning performance. Seldom researches investigated how to
increase the learner-s mental workload when they are training. So, in
our study, we will introduce a real case study and create two types
training environments. Comparing the learner-s mental workload
between VR training and serious game.
Abstract: Nosocomial (i.e., hospital-acquired) infections
(NI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitals. NI
rate is higher in intensive care units (ICU) than in the general
ward due to patients with severe symptoms, poor immunity,
and accepted many invasive therapies. Contact behaviors
between health caregivers and patients is one of the infect
factors. It is difficult to obtain complete contact records by
traditional method of retrospective analysis of medical records.
This paper establishes a contact history inferential model
(CHIM) intended to extend the use of Proximity Sensing of
rapid frequency identification (RFID) technology to
transferring all proximity events between health caregivers and
patients into clinical events (close-in events, contact events and
invasive events).The results of the study indicated that the
CHIM can infer proximity care activities into close-in events
and contact events.
The infection control team could redesign and build optimal
workflow in the ICU according to the patient-specific contact
history which provided by our automatic tracing system.
Abstract: In a bid to improve turbine entry temperature for maximizing the thermal efficiency of the HP stage gas turbine blade, an attempt is made in this paper to compare the performance of helicoidal ducted blade cooling with turbulator of different geometric proportion. It is found from analysis that there is significant improvement in cooling characteristics for turbine blade with turbulator geometry having larger e/D ratio. Also it is found from analysis, performance is vastly improved for greater thickness of turbulator geometry.
Abstract: Previous researches found that conventional WBL is effective for meaningful learner, because rote learner learn by repeating without thinking or trying to understand. It is impossible to have full benefit from conventional WBL. Understanding of rote learner-s intention and what influences it becomes important. Poorly designed user interface will discourage rote learner-s cultivation and intention to use WBL. Thus, user interface design is an important factor especially when WBL is used as comprehensive replacement of conventional teaching. This research proposes the influencing factors that can enhance learner-s intention to use the system. The enhanced TAM is used for evaluating the proposed factors. The research result points out that factors influencing rote learner-s intention are Perceived Usefulness of Homepage Content Structure, Perceived User Friendly Interface, Perceived Hedonic Component, and Perceived (homepage) Visual Attractiveness.
Abstract: In this paper we present a statistical analysis of Voice
over IP (VoIP) packet streams produced by the G.711 voice coder
with voice activity detection (VAD). During telephone conversation,
depending whether the interlocutor speaks (ON) or remains silent
(OFF), packets are produced or not by a voice coder. As index of
dispersion for both ON and OFF times distribution was greater than
one, we used hyperexponential distribution for approximation of
streams duration. For each stage of the hyperexponential distribution,
we tested goodness of our fits using graphical methods, we calculated
estimation errors, and performed Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.
Obtained results showed that the precise VoIP source model can be
based on the five-state Markov process.
Abstract: This study investigated the use of modified
atmosphere packaging (MAP) and different packaging to extend the
shelf life of Barbari flat bread. Three atmospheres including 70%CO2
and 30%N2, 50% CO2 and 50%N2 and a normal air as control were
used. The bread samples were packaged in three type pouches. The
shelf life was determined by appearance of mold and yeast (M +Y) in
Barbari bread samples stored at 25 ± 1°C and 38 ± 2% relative
humidity. The results showed that it is possible to prolong the shelf
life of Barbari bread from four days to about 21 days by using
modified atmosphere packaging with high carbon dioxide
concentration and high-barrier laminated and vacuum bags packages.
However, the hardness of samples kept in MAP increase significantly
by increase of carbon dioxide concentration. The correlation
coefficient (r) between headspace CO2 concentration and hardness
was 0.997, 0.997 and 0.599 for A, B and C packaging respectively.
High negative correlation coefficients were found between the crumb
moisture and the hardness values in various packaging. There were
significant negative correlation coefficients between sensory
parameters and hardness of texture.
Abstract: In this paper an extensive verification of the extraction
method (published earlier) that consistently accounts for self-heating
and Early effect to accurately extract both base and thermal resistance
of bipolar junction transistors is presented. The method verification is
demonstrated on advanced RF SiGe HBTs were the extracted results
for the thermal resistance are compared with those from another
published method that ignores the effect of Early effect on internal
base-emitter voltage and the extracted results of the base resistance
are compared with those determined from noise measurements. A
self-consistency of our method in the extracted base resistance and
thermal resistance using compact model simulation results is also
carried out in order to study the level of accuracy of the method.
Abstract: Regarding previous research studies it was concluded
that thin-walled fiber-cement composites are able to conduct electric
current under specific conditions. This property is ensured by using
of various kinds of carbon materials. Though carbon fibers are less
conductive than metal fibers, composites with carbon fibers were
evaluated as better current conductors than the composites with metal
fibers. The level of electric conductivity is monitored by the means of
impedance measurement of designed samples. These composites
could be used for a range of applications such as heating of
trafficable surfaces or shielding of electro-magnetic fields.
The aim of the present research was to design an element with the
ability to monitor internal processes in building structures and
prevent them from collapsing. As a typical element for laboratory
testing there was chosen a concrete column, which was repeatedly
subjected to load by simple pressure with continual monitoring of
changes in electrical properties.
Abstract: In the field of concepts, the measure of Wu and Palmer [1] has the advantage of being simple to implement and have good performances compared to the other similarity measures [2]. Nevertheless, the Wu and Palmer measure present the following disadvantage: in some situations, the similarity of two elements of an IS-A ontology contained in the neighborhood exceeds the similarity value of two elements contained in the same hierarchy. This situation is inadequate within the information retrieval framework. To overcome this problem, we propose a new similarity measure based on the Wu and Palmer measure. Our objective is to obtain realistic results for concepts not located in the same way. The obtained results show that compared to the Wu and Palmer approach, our measure presents a profit in terms of relevance and execution time.
Abstract: In this study, we illustrated the performance and
microbial community of single- and two-phase systems anaerobically
co-digesting cassava pulp and pig manure. The results showed that
the volatile solid reduction and biogas productivity of two-phase
CSTR were 66 ± 4% and 2000 ± 210 ml l-1 d-1, while those of singlephase
CSTR were 59 ± 1% and 1670 ± 60 ml l-1 d-1, respectively. Codigestion
in two-phase CSTR gave higher 12% solid degradation and
25% methane production than single-phase CSTR. Phylogenetic
analysis of 16S rDNA clone library revealed that the Bacteroidetes
were the most abundant group, followed by the Clostridia in singlephase
CSTR. In hydrolysis/acidification reactor of two-phase system,
the bacteria within the phylum Firmicutes, especially Clostridium,
Eubacteriaceae and Lactobacillus were the dominant phylogenetic
groups. Among the Archaea, Methanosaeta sp. was the exclusive
predominant in both digesters while the relative abundance of
Methanosaeta sp. and Methanospirillum hungatei differed between
the two systems.
Abstract: Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions impose major
threat to global warming potential (GWP). Unfortunately
manufacturing sector is one of the major sources that contribute
towards the rapid increase in greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. In
manufacturing sector electric power consumption is the major driver
that influences CO2 emission. Titanium alloys are widely utilized in
aerospace, automotive and petrochemical sectors because of their
high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Titanium
alloys are termed as difficult to cut materials because of their poor
machinability rating. The present study analyzes energy consumption
during cutting with reference to material removal rate (MRR).
Surface roughness was also measured in order to optimize energy
consumption.
Abstract: New biostimulator from wheat seeds which by its
chemical composition relates to fusicoccin is presented in this article.
New biostimulator could be used as powerful hormonal substance
that has ability to increase productivity and salt tolerance of
agricultural plants. Also on the basis of biostimulator we have
developed vegetative method for fast reproduction of perennial plants
as desert plant - Tamarix gracilis.
Abstract: Water quality and freshwater fish diversity from nine
waterfalls at Khao Luang National Park, Thailand was examined.
Streams were shallow, fast flowing with clear water and rocky and
sandy substrate. The mean water quality of waterfalls at Khao Luang
National Park were as following pH 7.50, air temperature 24.27 °C,
water temperature 26.37 °C, dissolved oxygen 7.88 mg/l, hardness
4.44-21.33 mg/l, alkalinity 3.55-11.88 mg/(as CaCO3). Twenty fish
species were found at Khao Luang National Park belonging to nine
families. A cluster analysis of water quality at Khao Luang National
Park revealed that waterfalls at Khao Luang National Park were
divided into two groups: A and B. Group A composed of two
waterfalls (i.e. Aie Kaew and Wangmaipak) that flew to the Gulf of
Thailand side. Group B composed of seven waterfalls (i.e. Promlok,
Kalom, Nuafa, Suankun, Soidaw, Suanhai, and Thapae) that flew to
the Andaman Sea side (Fig. 2) .The Cyprinids represented the major
species in all the waterfalls comprising of 45%.