Abstract: The environmental impact caused by industries is an issue that, in the last 20 years, has become very important in terms of society, economics and politics in Colombia. Particularly, the tannery process is extremely polluting because of uneffective treatments and regulations given to the dumping process and atmospheric emissions. Considering that, this investigation is intended to propose a management model based on the integration of Lean Supply Chain, Green Supply Chain, Cleaner Production and ISO 14001-2004, that prioritizes the strategic components of the organizations. As a result, a management model will be obtained and it will provide a strategic perspective through a systemic approach to the tanning process. This will be achieved through the use of Multicriteria Decision tools, along with Quality Function Deployment and Fuzzy Logic. The strategic approach that embraces the management model using the alignment of Lean Supply Chain, Green Supply Chain, Cleaner Production and ISO 14001-2004, is an integrated perspective that allows a gradual frame of the tactical and operative elements through the correct setting of the information flow, improving the decision making process. In that way, Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) could improve their productivity, competitiveness and as an added value, the minimization of the environmental impact. This improvement is expected to be controlled through a Dashboard that helps the Organization measure its performance along the implementation of the model in its productive process.
Abstract: Recognition of characters greatly depends upon the features used. Several features of the handwritten Arabic characters are selected and discussed. An off-line recognition system based on the selected features was built. The system was trained and tested with realistic samples of handwritten Arabic characters. Evaluation of the importance and accuracy of the selected features is made. The recognition based on the selected features give average accuracies of 88% and 70% for the numbers and letters, respectively. Further improvements are achieved by using feature weights based on insights gained from the accuracies of individual features.
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: Environmental responsibility includes improvement of environmental performance in order to reduce environmental impact. This paper gives a short review of some important environmental objectives, targets and actions that modern shipping company should follow.
Abstract: In this study we propose a novel monitor hydraulic
automatic gauge control (HAGC) system based on fuzzy feedforward
controller. This is used in the development of cold rolling
mill automation system to improve the quality of cold strip. According to features/ properties of entry steel strip like its average
yield stress, width of strip, and desired exit thickness, this controller realizes the compensation for the exit thickness error. The traditional methods of adjusting the roller position, can-t tolerate the variance in
the entry steel strip. The proposed method uses a mathematical model
of the system together with the expert knowledge to perform this adjustment while minimizing the effect of the stated problem. In
order to improve the speed of the controller in rejecting disturbances
introduced by entry strip thickness variations, expert knowledge is added as a feed-forward term to the HAGC system. Simulation
results for the application of the proposed controller to a real cold mill show that the exit strip quality is highly improved.
Abstract: In present paper we proposed a simple and effective method to compress an image. Here we found success in size reduction of an image without much compromising with it-s quality. Here we used Haar Wavelet Transform to transform our original image and after quantization and thresholding of DWT coefficients Run length coding and Huffman coding schemes have been used to encode the image. DWT is base for quite populate JPEG 2000 technique.
Abstract: The study presents a brief and synthetic discussion of selected conclusions resulting from multidimensional and in-depth empirical studies. Its theoretical part presents the assumptions referring to social responsibility management from the perspective of the specific nature of small enterprise functioning, while the empirical part presents the selected dysfunctions and paradoxes in social responsibility management referring to this group of enterprises. The paper is summarized by a short list of the resulting recommendations.
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: In this article, we propose a methodology for the
characterization of the suspended matter along Algiers-s bay. An
approach by multi layers perceptron (MLP) with training by back
propagation of the gradient optimized by the algorithm of Levenberg
Marquardt (LM) is used. The accent was put on the choice of the
components of the base of training where a comparative study made
for four methods: Random and three alternatives of classification by
K-Means. The samples are taken from suspended matter image,
obtained by analytical model based on polynomial regression by
taking account of in situ measurements. The mask which selects the
zone of interest (water in our case) was carried out by using a multi
spectral classification by ISODATA algorithm. To improve the
result of classification, a cleaning of this mask was carried out using
the tools of mathematical morphology. The results of this study
presented in the forms of curves, tables and of images show the
founded good of our methodology.
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: With the global financial crisis turning into what more
and more appears to be a prolonged “Great Recession", we are
witnessing marked reductions in remittance transfers to developing
countries with the likely possibility that overall flows will decline
even further in the near future. With countless families reliant on
remittance inflows as a source of income maintaining their economic
livelihood, a reduction would put many at risk of falling below or
deeper into poverty. Recognizing the importance of remittance
inflows as a lifeline to the poor, policy should aim to (1) reduce the
barriers to remit in both sending and receiving nations thus easing the
decline in transfers; (2) leverage the development impacts of
remittances; and (3) buffer vulnerable groups dependent on
remittance transfers as a source of livelihood through sound countercyclical
macroeconomic policies.
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: Based on the field investigation and long term remote
sensing data, the dynamics of the alpine wetland in the river basin and
their response to climate change were studied. Results showed the
alpine wetlands accounted for 3.73% of total basin in 2010. Lake and
river appeared an increasing trend in the past 30 years, with an
increase of 34.36 % and 24.57%. However, swamp exhibited a
tendency of decreasing with 233.74 km2. Annual average temperature,
maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation in the
river basin all exhibited an increasing trend, whereas relative humidity
exhibited a decreasing trend. Ice and snow melting are main reasons of
lake and river area enhancement and swamp area descend. There
existed 91.78%-97.86% of reduced swamp converted into lakes on the
basis of remote sensing image interpretation. China-s government
policy of implementing development in the river basin is the major
driving force of artificial wetland growth.
Abstract: Neem is a highly heterozygous and commercially
important perennial plant. Conventionally, it is propagated by seeds
which loose viability within two weeks. Strictly cross pollinating
nature of the plant causes serious barrier to the genetic improvement
by conventional methods. Alternative methods of tree improvement
such as somatic hybridization, mutagenesis and genetic
transformation require an efficient in vitro plant regeneration system.
In this regard, somatic embryogenesis particularly secondary somatic
embryogenesis may offer an effective system for large scale plant
propagation without affecting the clonal fidelity of the regenerants. It
can be used for synthetic seed production, which further bolsters
conservation of this tree species which is otherwise very difficult
The present report describes the culture conditions necessary to
induce and maintain repetitive somatic embryogenesis, for the first
time, in neem. Out of various treatments tested, the somatic embryos
were induced directly from immature zygotic embryos of neem on
MS + TDZ (0.1 μM) + ABA (4 μM), in more than 76 % cultures.
Direct secondary somatic embryogenesis occurred from primary
somatic embryos on MS + IAA (5 μM) + GA3 (5 μM) in 12.5 %
cultures. Embryogenic competence of the explant as well as of the
primary embryos was maintained for a long period by repeated
subcultures at frequent intervals. A maximum of 10 % of these
somatic embryos were converted into plantlets.
Abstract: Animated graph gives some good impressions in
presenting information. However, not many people are able to produce it because the process of generating an animated graph requires some technical skills. This work presents Content
Management System with Animated Graph (CMS-AG). It is a webbased system enabling users to produce an effective and interactive
graphical report in a short time period. It allows for three levels of user authentication, provides update profile, account management, template management, graph management, and track changes. The system development applies incremental development approach, object-oriented concepts and Web programming technologies. The design architecture promotes new technology of reporting. It also helps user cut off unnecessary expenses, save time and learn new things on different levels of users. In this paper, the developed system is described.
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: 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: This paper proposes a novel approach that combines statistical models and support vector machines. A hybrid scheme which appropriately incorporates the advantages of both the generative and discriminant model paradigms is described and evaluated. Support vector machines (SVMs) are trained to divide the whole speakers' space into small subsets of speakers within a hierarchical tree structure. During testing a speech token is assigned to its corresponding group and evaluation using gaussian mixture models (GMMs) is then processed. Experimental results show that the proposed method can significantly improve the performance of text independent speaker identification task. We report improvements of up to 50% reduction in identification error rate compared to the baseline statistical model.
Abstract: In this paper, an approach to reduce the computation steps required by fast neural networksfor the searching process is presented. The principle ofdivide and conquer strategy is applied through imagedecomposition. Each image is divided into small in sizesub-images and then each one is tested separately usinga fast neural network. The operation of fast neuralnetworks based on applying cross correlation in thefrequency domain between the input image and theweights of the hidden neurons. Compared toconventional and fast neural networks, experimentalresults show that a speed up ratio is achieved whenapplying this technique to locate human facesautomatically in cluttered scenes. Furthermore, fasterface detection is obtained by using parallel processingtechniques to test the resulting sub-images at the sametime using the same number of fast neural networks. Incontrast to using only fast neural networks, the speed upratio is increased with the size of the input image whenusing fast neural networks and image decomposition.
Abstract: The recommendation of the committee on corporate
governance for public companies in Nigeria, that the position of the
CEO be separated from board chair has generated serious debate
among scholars and practitioners. They have questioned the
appropriateness of implementing corporate governance model that is
based on Anglo-Saxon agency problem characterized by dispersed
ownership structure; where markets for corporate control, legal
regulation, and contractual incentives are the key governance
mechanisms. This paper strives to resolve the argument by adopting
an institutional perspective in testing the agency theory on board
duality. The study developed a theoretical and empirical model to
better understand how ownership structure influences agency conflict
and how such affects firm performance. Hence, the study examines
the relationship between CEO duality and firm performance using
two institutional ownership structures – dispersed ownership and
concentrated ownership structures. The empirical results show that
CEO duality is negatively correlated with firm performance in
Nigeria irrespective of the firm-s ownership structure. The findings
give credence to the recommendation of the Peterside Commission
on the need to separate the position of CEO from board chair.