Abstract: Smart grid is a new approach for electric power grid that uses information and communications technology to control the electric power grid. Smart grid provides real-time control of the electric power grid, controlling the direction of power flow or time of the flow. Control devices are installed on the power lines of the electric power grid to implement smart grid. The number of the control devices should be determined, in relation with the area one control device covers and the cost associated with the control devices. One approach to determine the number of the control devices is to use the data on the surplus power generated by home solar generators. In current implementations, the surplus power is sent all the way to the power plant, which may cause power loss. To reduce the power loss, the surplus power may be sent to a control device and sent to where the power is needed from the control device. Under assumption that the control devices are installed on a lattice of equal size squares, our goal is to figure out the optimal spacing between the control devices, where the power sharing area (the area covered by one control device) is kept small to avoid power loss, and at the same time the power sharing area is big enough to have no surplus power wasted. To achieve this goal, a simulation using landscape ecology method is conducted on a sample area. First an aerial photograph of the land of interest is turned into a mosaic map where each area is colored according to the ratio of the amount of power production to the amount of power consumption in the area. The amount of power consumption is estimated according to the characteristics of the buildings in the area. The power production is calculated by the sum of the area of the roofs shown in the aerial photograph and assuming that solar panels are installed on all the roofs. The mosaic map is colored in three colors, each color representing producer, consumer, and neither. We started with a mosaic map with 100 m grid size, and the grid size is grown until there is no red grid. One control device is installed on each grid, so that the grid is the area which the control device covers. As the result of this simulation we got 350m as the optimal spacing between the control devices that makes effective use of the surplus power for the sample area.
Abstract: Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding is a high quality welding process used to weld the thin metals and their alloy. 5083 Aluminium alloys play an important role in engineering and metallurgy field because of excellent corrosion properties, ease of fabrication and high specific strength coupled with best combination of toughness and formability.
TIG welding technique is one of the precise and fastest processes used in aerospace, ship and marine industries. TIG welding process is used to analyze the data and evaluate the influence of input parameters on tensile strength of 5083 Al-alloy specimens with dimensions of 100mm long x 15mm wide x 5mm thick. Welding current (I), gas flow rate (G) and welding speed (S) are the input parameters which effect tensile strength of 5083 Al-alloy welded joints. As welding speed increased, tensile strength increases first till optimum value and after that both decreases by increasing welding speed further. Results of the study show that maximum tensile strength of 129 MPa of weld joint are obtained at welding current of 240 Amps, gas flow rate of 7 Lt/min and welding speed of 98 mm/min. These values are the optimum values of input parameters which help to produce efficient weld joint that have good mechanical properties as a tensile strength.
Abstract: In the present study, two TRIP-assisted steels were designated as A (having no Cr and Cu content) and B (having higher Ni, Cr and Cu content) heat treated under different conditions, and the correlation between its heat treatment, microstructure and properties were investigated. Micro structural examination was carried out by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope after electrolytic etching. Non-destructive electrochemical and ultrasonic testing on two TRIP-assisted steels was used to find out corrosion and mechanical properties of different alter microstructure phase’s steels. Furthermore, micro structural studies accompanied by the evaluation of mechanical properties revealed that steels having martensite phases with higher corrosive and hardness value were less sound velocity and also steel’s microstructure having finer grains that was more grain boundary was less corrosion resistance. Steel containing more Cu, Ni and Cr was less corrosive compared to other steels having same processing or microstructure.
Abstract: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the novel nanomagnetic beads based–latex agglutination assay (NMB-LAT) as a simple test for diagnosis of S. haematobium as well as standardize the novel nanomagnetic beads based –ELISA (NMB-ELISA). According to urine examination this study included 85 S. haematobium infected patients, 30 other parasites infected patients and 25 negative control samples. The sensitivity of novel NMB-LAT was 82.4% versus 96.5% and 88.2% for NMB-ELISA and currently used sandwich ELISA respectively. The specificity of NMB-LAT was 83.6% versus 96.3% and 87.3% for NMB-ELISA and currently used sandwich ELISA respectively. In conclusion, the novel NMB-ELISA is a valuable applicable diagnostic technique for diagnosis of human schistosomiasis haematobium. The novel NMB-ELISA assay is a suitable applicable diagnostic method in field survey especially when followed by ELISA as a confirmatory test in query false negative results. Trials are required to increase the sensitivity and specificity of NMB-ELISA assay.
Abstract: The use of anatomical landmarks as a basis for image to patient registration is appealing because the registration may be performed retrospectively. We have previously proposed the use of two anatomical soft tissue landmarks of the head, the canthus (corner of the eye) and the tragus (a small, pointed, cartilaginous flap of the ear), as a registration basis for an automated CT image to patient registration system, and described their localization in patient space using close range photogrammetry. In this paper, the automatic localization of these landmarks in CT images, based on their curvature saliency and using a rule based system that incorporates prior knowledge of their characteristics, is described. Existing approaches to landmark localization in CT images are predominantly semi-automatic and primarily for localizing internal landmarks. To validate our approach, the positions of the landmarks localized automatically and manually in near isotropic CT images of 102 patients were compared. The average difference was 1.2mm (std = 0.9mm, max = 4.5mm) for the medial canthus and 0.8mm (std = 0.6mm, max = 2.6mm) for the tragus. The medial canthus and tragus can be automatically localized in CT images, with performance comparable to manual localization, based on the approach presented.
Abstract: The newest semiconductor devices on the market are MOSFET transistors based on the silicon carbide – SiC. This material has exclusive features thanks to which it becomes a better switch than Si – silicon semiconductor switch. There are some special features that need to be understood to enable the device’s use to its full potential. The advantages and differences of SiC MOSFETs in comparison with Si IGBT transistors have been described in first part of this article. Second part describes driver for SiC MOSFET transistor and last part of article represents SiC MOSFET in the application of buck converter (step-down) and design of simple RC snubber.
Abstract: The controller is used to improve the dynamic performance of DC-DC converter by achieving a robust output voltage against load disturbances. This paper presents the performance of PI and Fuzzy controller for a phase- shifted zero-voltage switched full-bridge PWM (ZVS FB- PWM) converters with a closed loop control. The proposed converter is regulated with minimum overshoot and good stability. In this paper phase-shift control method is used as an effective tool to reduce switching losses and duty cycle losses. A 1kW/100KHz dc/dc converter is simulated and analyzed using MATLAB. The circuit is simulated for static and dynamic load (DC motor). It has been observed that performance of converter with fuzzy controller is better than that of PI controller. An efficiency comparison of the converter with a reported topology has also been carried out.
Abstract: MARS is a shared-key (symmetric) block cipher algorithm supporting 128-bit block size and a variable key size of between 128 and 448 bits. MARS has a several rounds of cryptographic core that is designed to take advantage of the powerful results for improving security/performance tradeoff over existing ciphers. In this work, a new function added to improve the ciphering process it is called, Meta-Morphic function. This function use XOR, Rotating, Inverting and No-Operation logical operations before and after encryption process. The aim of these operations is to improve MARS cipher process and makes a high confusion criterion for the Ciphertext.
Abstract: Microarrays are made it possible to simultaneously monitor the expression profiles of thousands of genes under various experimental conditions. It is used to identify the co-expressed genes in specific cells or tissues that are actively used to make proteins. This method is used to analysis the gene expression, an important task in bioinformatics research. Cluster analysis of gene expression data has proved to be a useful tool for identifying co-expressed genes, biologically relevant groupings of genes and samples. In this work K-Means algorithms has been applied for clustering of Gene Expression Data. Further, rough set based Quick reduct algorithm has been applied for each cluster in order to select the most similar genes having high correlation. Then the ACV measure is used to evaluate the refined clusters and classification is used to evaluate the proposed method. They could identify compact clusters with feature selection method used to genes are selected.
Abstract: Tinnitus is commonly defined as an aberrant
perception of sound without external stimulus. It’s a chronic
condition with consequences on the QOL. The coping strategies used
were not always effective and coping was identified as a predictor of
QOL in individuals with tinnitus, which reinforces the idea that in
health the use of effective coping styles should be promoted. This
work intend to verify relations between coping strategies assessed by
BriefCope in subjects with tinnitus and variables such as gender, age
and severity of tinnitus measured by THI and the Visual Analogue
Scale and also hearing and hyperacusis. The results indicate that there
are any statistically significant relationships between the variables
assessed in relation to the results of BriefCope except in the Visual
Analogue Scale.These results, indicating no relationship between
almost all variables, reinforce the need for further study of coping
strategies use by these patients.
Abstract: Mobile application development is different from regular application development due to the hardware resource limitations existed in the mobile platforms. In the mobile environment, the application needs to be optimized by the developer to produce optimal software with least overhead. This study discussed about performance optimization techniques that are employed in general application development, and how such techniques are performing on mobile platforms through some empirical evaluations on a mobile emulator, Nokia X3-02 and Nokia C5-03devices. The scope of the work is only confined to mobile platform based on Java Mobile edition architecture. The empirical results showed that techniques such as loop unrolling, dependency chain, and linearized getter and setter performed better by a factor of 3 to 7. Whereas declaration and initialization on the same line or separate line did not improve the performance.
Abstract: Sea level rise threatens to increase the impact of future
storms and hurricanes on coastal communities. Accurate sea level
change prediction and supplement is an important task in determining
constructions and human activities in coastal and oceanic areas. In
this study, support vector machines (SVM) is proposed to predict
daily tidal levels along the Jeddah Coast, Saudi Arabia. The optimal
parameter values of kernel function are determined using a genetic
algorithm. The SVM results are compared with the field data and
with back propagation (BP). Among the models, the SVM is superior
to BPNN and has better generalization performance.
Abstract: In recent years, a reconstruction project for sewer
pipelines has been progressing in Japan with the aim of renewing old
sewer culverts. However, it is difficult to secure a sufficient base area
for shafts in an urban area because many streets are narrow with a
complex layout. As a result, construction in such urban areas is
generally very demanding.
In urban areas, there is a strong requirement for a safe, reliable and
economical construction method that does not disturb the public’s
daily life and urban activities. With this in mind, we developed a new
construction method called the “shield switching type micro-tunneling
method,” which integrates the micro-tunneling method and shield
method.
In this method, pipeline is constructed first for sections that are
gently curved or straight using the economical micro-tunneling
method, and then the method is switched to the shield method for
sections with a sharp curve or a series of curves without establishing
an intermediate shaft.
This paper provides the information, features and construction
examples of this newly developed method.
Abstract: The generation of an idea that goes through several
phases is affected by individual factors, interests, preferences and
motivation. The purpose of this research was to analyze the
difference in difficulties of generating ideas according to individual
learning styles. A total of 375 technical students from four technical
universities in Malaysia were randomly selected as samples. The
Kolb Learning Styles Inventory and a set of developed questionnaires
were used in this research. The results showed that the most dominant
learning style among technical students is Doer. A total of 319
(85.1%) technical students faced difficulties in solving individual
assignments. Most of the problem faced by technical students is the
difficulty of generating ideas for solving individual assignments.
There was no significant difference in difficulties of generating ideas
according to students’ learning styles. Therefore, students need to
learn higher order thinking skills enabling students to generate ideas
and consequently complete assignments.
Abstract: By planning this experimental work to investigate the effect of zeolitic waste on rheological and technological properties of self-compacting fiber reinforced concrete, we had an intention to draw attention to the environmental factor. Large amount of zeolitic waste, as secondary raw materials are not in use properly and large amount of it is collected without a clear view of its usage in future. The principal aim of this work is to assure, that zeolitic waste admixture takes positive effect to the self-compacting fiber reinforced concrete mixes stability, flowability and other properties by using the experimental research methods. In addition to that a research on cement and zeolitic waste mortars were implemented to clarify the effect of zeolitic waste on properties of cement paste and stone. Primary studies indicates that zeolitic waste characterizes clear pozzolanic behavior, do not deteriorate and in some cases ensure positive rheological and mechanical characteristics of self-compacting concrete mixes.
Abstract: This paper describes the development of a Vegetation Searching System based on Web Application in case of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. The model was developed by PHP, JavaScript and MySQL database system and it was designed to support searching for endemic and rare species of trees on Web site. We describe the design methods and functional components of this prototype. To evaluate the system performance, questionnaires for the system usability and Black Box Testing were used to measure expert and user satisfaction. The results were satisfactory as followed: Means for experts and users were 4.30 and 4.50, and standard deviation for experts and users were 0.61and 0.73 respectively. Further analysis showed that the quality of the plant searching Website was also at a good level as well.
Abstract: Silica fume, also known as microsilica (MS) or
condensed silica fume is a by-product of the production of silicon
metal or ferrosilicon alloys. Silica fume is one of the most effective
pozzolanic additives which could be used for ultrahigh performance
and other types of concrete. Despite the fact, however is not entirely
clear, which amount of silica fume is most optimal for UHPC. Main
objective of this experiment was to find optimal amount of silica
fume for UHPC with and without thermal treatment, when different
amount of quartz powder is substituted by silica fume. In this work
were investigated four different composition of UHPC with different
amount of silica fume. Silica fume were added 0, 10, 15 and 20% of
cement (by weight) to UHPC mixture. Optimal amount of silica fume
was determined by slump, viscosity, qualitative and quantitative
XRD analysis and compression strength tests methods.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to analyze the migration
process of the rural population of Bangladesh. Heckman Probit model
with sample selection was applied in this paper to explore the
determinants of migration and intensity of migration at farm
household level. The farm survey was conducted in the central part of
Bangladesh on 160 farm households with migrant and on 154 farm
households without migrant including a total of 316 farm households.
The results from the applied model revealed that main determinants
of migration at farm household level are household age, economically
active males and females, number of young and old dependent
members in the household and agricultural land holding. On the other
hand the main determinants of intensity of migration are availability
of economically adult male in the household, number of young
dependents and agricultural land holding.
Abstract: A design problem of non-uniform circular antenna arrays for maximum reduction of both the side lobe level (SLL) and first null beam width (FNBW) is dealt with. This problem is modeled as a simple optimization problem. The method of Firefly algorithm (FFA) is used to determine an optimal set of current excitation weights and antenna inter-element separations that provide radiation pattern with maximum SLL reduction and much improvement on FNBW as well. Circular array antenna laid on x-y plane is assumed. FFA is applied on circular arrays of 8-, 10-, and 12- elements. Various simulation results are presented and hence performances of side lobe and FNBW are analyzed. Experimental results show considerable reductions of both the SLL and FNBW with respect to those of the uniform case and some standard algorithms GA, PSO and SA applied to the same problem.
Abstract: This paper describes optimal thinning of an Elliptical
Cylindrical Array (ECA) of uniformly excited isotropic antennas
which can generate directive beam with minimum relative Side Lobe
Level (SLL). The Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method, which
represents a new approach for optimization problems in
electromagnetic, is used in the optimization process. The PSO is used
to determine the optimal set of ‘ON-OFF’ elements that provides a
radiation pattern with maximum SLL reduction. Optimization is done
without prefixing the value of First Null Beam Width (FNBW). The
variation of SLL with element spacing of thinned array is also
reported. Simulation results show that the number of array elements
can be reduced by more than 50% of the total number of elements in
the array with a simultaneous reduction in SLL to less than -27dB.