Abstract: In recent past, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) has become the de facto industry standard for object-oriented modeling of the software systems. The syntax and semantics rich UML has encouraged industry to develop several supporting tools including those capable of generating deployable product (code) from the UML models. As a consequence, ensuring the correctness of the model/design has become challenging and extremely important task. In this paper, we present an approach for automatic verification of protocol model/design. As a case study, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) design is verified for the property, “the CALLER will not converse with the CALLEE before the connection is established between them ". The SIP is modeled using UML statechart diagrams and the desired properties are expressed in temporal logic. Our prototype verifier “UML-SMV" is used to carry out the verification. We subjected an erroneous SIP model to the UML-SMV, the verifier could successfully detect the error (in 76.26ms) and generate the error trace.
Abstract: Sustainable energy usage has been recognized as one
of the important measure to increase the competitiveness of the
nation globally. Many strong emphases were given in the Ninth
Malaysia Plan (RMK9) to improve energy efficient especially to
government buildings. With this in view, a project to investigate the
potential of energy saving in selected building in Universiti Tun
Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) was carried out. In this project, a
case study involving electric energy consumption of the academic
staff office building was conducted. The scope of the study include to
identify energy consumption in a selected building, to study energy
saving opportunities, to analyse cost investment in term of economic
and to identify users attitude with respect to energy usage. The
MS1525:2001, Malaysian Standard -Code of practice on energy
efficiency and use of renewable energy for non-residential buildings
was used as reference. Several energy efficient measures were
considered and their merits and priority were compared. Improving
human behavior can reduce energy consumption by 6% while
technical measure can reduce energy consumption by 44%. Two
economic analysis evaluation methods were applied; they are the
payback period method and net present value method.
Abstract: This research aimed to study the market feasibility for
new brand coffee house, the case study of Thailand.. This study is a
mixed methods research combining quantitative research and the
qualitative research. Primary data 350 sets of questionnaires were
distributed, and the high quality completed questionnaires of 320 sets
returned. Research samples are identified as customers’ of Hi-end
department stores in Thailand. The sources of secondary data were
critical selected from highly reliable sources, both from public and
private sectors. The results were used to classify the customer group
into two main groups, the younger than 25 and the older than 25years
old. Results of the younger group, are give priority to the dimension
of coffee house and its services dimension more than others, then
branding dimension and the product dimension respectively. On the
other hand, the older group give the difference result as they rate the
important of the branding, coffee house and its services, then the
product respectively. Coffee consuming is not just the trend but it
has become part of people lifestyle. And the new cultures also created
by the wise businessman. Coffee was long produced and consumed in
Thailand. But it is surprisingly the hi-end brand coffee houses in Thai
market are mostly imported brands. The café business possibility for
Thai brand coffee house in Thai market were discussed in the paper.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of
mean size of industry on survival of new firms in East-Azarbaijan
province through 1981-2006 using hazard function. So the effect of
two variables including mean employment of industry and mean
capital of industry are investigated on firm's survival. The Industry &
Mine Ministry database has used for data gathering and the data are
analyzed using the semi-parametric cox regression model. The results
of this study shows that there is a meaningful negative relationship
between mean capital of industry and firm's survival, but the mean
employment of industry has no meaningful effect on survival of new
firms.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel method for remaining
useful life prediction using the Elliptical Basis Function (EBF)
network and a Markov chain. The EBF structure is trained by a
modified Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm in order to take
into account the missing covariate set. No explicit extrapolation is
needed for internal covariates while a Markov chain is constructed to
represent the evolution of external covariates in the study. The
estimated external and the unknown internal covariates constitute an
incomplete covariate set which are then used and analyzed by the EBF
network to provide survival information of the asset. It is shown in the
case study that the method slightly underestimates the remaining
useful life of an asset which is a desirable result for early maintenance
decision and resource planning.
Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the validity of Wagner-s law and relationship between economic growth, population and export for Pakistan. The ARDL Bounds cointegration and ECM are utilized for long and short run equilibrium for the period of 1972-2007. Population has considerable role in an economy and exports are the main source to raise the GDP. With the increase in GDP, the government expenditures may or may not increase. The empirical results indicate that the Wagner-s Law does hold, as economic growth is significantly and positively correlated with government expenditures. However, population and exports have also significant and positive impact on government expenditures both in short and long run. The significant and negative coefficient of error correction term in ECM indicates that after a shock, the long rum equilibrium will again converge towards equilibrium about 70.82 percent within a year.
Abstract: Increasing concerns over climate change have limited
the liberal usage of available energy technology options. India faces
a formidable challenge to meet its energy needs and provide adequate
energy of desired quality in various forms to users in sustainable
manner at reasonable costs. In this paper, work carried out with an
objective to study the role of various energy technology options
under different scenarios namely base line scenario, high nuclear
scenario, high renewable scenario, low growth and high growth rate
scenario. The study has been carried out using Model for Energy
Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental
Impacts (MESSAGE) model which evaluates the alternative energy
supply strategies with user defined constraints on fuel availability,
environmental regulations etc. The projected electricity demand, at
the end of study period i.e. 2035 is 500490 MWYr. The model
predicted the share of the demand by Thermal: 428170 MWYr,
Hydro: 40320 MWYr, Nuclear: 14000 MWYr, Wind: 18000 MWYr
in the base line scenario. Coal remains the dominant fuel for
production of electricity during the study period. However, the
import dependency of coal increased during the study period. In
baseline scenario the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions upto 2035
are about 11,000 million tones of CO2. In the scenario of high nuclear
capacity the carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 10 % when nuclear
energy share increased to 9 % compared to 3 % in baseline scenario.
Similarly aggressive use of renewables reduces 4 % of carbon
dioxide emissions.
Abstract: In the way of growing and developing firms especially
high-tech firms, on many occasions manager of firm is mainly involved in solving problems of his business and decision making about executive activities of the firm, while besides executive
measures, attention to planning of firm's success and growth way and
application of long experience and sagacity in designing business model are vital and necessary success in a business is achieved as a
result of different factors, one of the most important of them is designing and performing an optimal business model at the beginning
of the firm's work. This model is determining the limit of profitability
achieved by innovation and gained value added. Therefore, business
model is the process of connecting innovation environment and
technology with economic environment and business and is important
for succeeding modern businesses considering their traits.
Abstract: There has been gradual progress of late in construction projects, particularly in big-scale megaprojects. Due to the long-term construction period, however, with large-scale budget investment, lack of construction management technologies, and increase in the incomplete elements of project schedule management, a plan to conduct efficient operations and to ensure business safety is required. In particular, as the project management information system (PMIS) is meant for managing a single project centering on the construction phase, there is a limitation in the management of program-scale businesses like megaprojects. Thus, a program management information system (PgMIS) that includes program-level management technologies is needed to manage multiple projects. In this study, a support tool was developed for managing the cost and schedule information occurring in the construction phase, at the program level. In addition, a case study on the developed support tool was conducted to verify the usability of the system. With the use of the developed support tool program, construction managers can monitor the progress of the entire project and of the individual subprojects in real time.
Abstract: In this paper, the Tabu search algorithm is used to
solve a transportation problem which consists of determining the
shortest routes with the appropriate vehicle capacity to facilitate the
travel of the students attending the University of Mauritius. The aim
of this work is to minimize the total cost of the distance travelled by
the vehicles in serving all the customers. An initial solution is
obtained by the TOUR algorithm which basically constructs a giant
tour containing all the customers and partitions it in an optimal way
so as to produce a set of feasible routes. The Tabu search algorithm
then makes use of a search procedure, a swapping procedure and the
intensification and diversification mechanism to find the best set of
feasible routes.
Abstract: Despite the extensive use of eLearning systems, there
is no consensus on a standard framework for evaluating this kind of
quality system. Hence, there is only a minimum set of tools that can
supervise this judgment and gives information about the course
content value. This paper presents two kinds of quality set evaluation
indicators for eLearning courses based on the computational process
of three known metrics, the Euclidian, Hamming and Levenshtein
distances. The “distance" calculus is applied to standard evaluation
templates (i.e. the European Commission Programme procedures vs.
the AFNOR Z 76-001 Standard), determining a reference point in the
evaluation of the e-learning course quality vs. the optimal concept(s).
The case study, based on the results of project(s) developed in the
framework of the European Programme “Leonardo da Vinci", with
Romanian contractors, try to put into evidence the benefits of such a
method.
Abstract: One of the main environmental problems which affect extensive areas in the world is soil salinity. Traditional data collection methods are neither enough for considering this important environmental problem nor accurate for soil studies. Remote sensing data could overcome most of these problems. Although satellite images are commonly used for these studies, however there are still needs to find the best calibration between the data and real situations in each specified area. Neyshaboor area, North East of Iran was selected as a field study of this research. Landsat satellite images for this area were used in order to prepare suitable learning samples for processing and classifying the images. 300 locations were selected randomly in the area to collect soil samples and finally 273 locations were reselected for further laboratory works and image processing analysis. Electrical conductivity of all samples was measured. Six reflective bands of ETM+ satellite images taken from the study area in 2002 were used for soil salinity classification. The classification was carried out using common algorithms based on the best composition bands. The results showed that the reflective bands 7, 3, 4 and 1 are the best band composition for preparing the color composite images. We also found out, that hybrid classification is a suitable method for identifying and delineation of different salinity classes in the area.
Abstract: The development and extension of large cities induced
a need for shallow tunnel in soft ground of building areas. Estimation
of ground settlement caused by the tunnel excavation is important
engineering point. In this paper, prediction of surface subsidence
caused by tunneling in one section of seventh line of Tehran subway
is considered. On the basis of studied geotechnical conditions of the
region, tunnel with the length of 26.9km has been excavated applying
a mechanized method using an EPB-TBM with a diameter of 9.14m.
In this regard, settlement is estimated utilizing both analytical and
numerical finite element method. The numerical method shows that
the value of settlement in this section is 5cm. Besides, the analytical
consequences (Bobet and Loganathan-Polous) are 5.29 and 12.36cm,
respectively. According to results of this study, due tosaturation of
this section, there are good agreement between Bobet and numerical
methods. Therefore, tunneling processes in this section needs a
special consolidation measurement and support system before the
passage of tunnel boring machine.
Abstract: The need to evaluate and understand the natural
drainage pattern in a flood prone, and fast developing environment is
of paramount importance. This information will go a long way to
help the town planners to determine the drainage pattern, road
networks and areas where prominent structures are to be located. This
research work was carried out with the aim of studying the Bayelsa
landscape topography using digitized topographic information, and to
model the natural drainage flow pattern that will aid the
understanding and constructions of workable drainages. To achieve
this, digitize information of elevation and coordinate points were
extracted from a global imagery map. The extracted information was
modeled into 3D surfaces. The result revealed that the average
elevation for Bayelsa State is 12 m above sea level. The highest
elevation is 28 m, and the lowest elevation 0 m, along the coastline.
In Yenagoa the capital city of Bayelsa were a detail survey was
carried out showed that average elevation is 15 m, the highest
elevation is 25 m and lowest is 3 m above the mean sea level. The
regional elevation in Bayelsa, showed a gradation decrease from the
North Eastern zone to the South Western Zone. Yenagoa showed an
observed elevation lineament, were low depression is flanked by high
elevation that runs from the North East to the South west. Hence,
future drainages in Yenagoa should be directed from the high
elevation, from South East toward the North West and from the
North West toward South East, to the point of convergence which is
at the center that flows from South East toward the North West.
Bayelsa when considered on a regional Scale, the flow pattern is from
the North East to the South West, and also North South. It is
recommended that in the event of any large drainage construction at
municipal scale, it should be directed from North East to the South
West or from North to South. Secondly, detail survey should be
carried out to ascertain the local topography and the drainage pattern
before the design and construction of any drainage system in any part
of Bayelsa.
Abstract: This is a survey research using quantitative and qualitative methodology. There were three objectives: 1) To study participatory level of community in water and waste environment management. 2) To study the affecting factors for community participation in water and waste environment management in Ampawa District, Samut Songkram Province. 3) To search for the participatory patterns in water and waste management. The population sample for the quantitative research was 1,364 people living in Ampawa District. The methodology was simple random sampling. Research instrument was a questionnaire and the qualitative research used purposive sampling in 6 Sub Districts which are Ta Ka, Suanluang, Bangkae, Muangmai, Kwae-om, and Bangnanglee Sub District Administration Organization. Total population is 63. For data analysis, the study used content analysis from quantitative research to synthesize and build question frame from the content for interview and conducting focus group interview. The study found that the community participatory in the issue of level in water and waste management are moderate of planning, operation, and evaluation. The issue of being beneficial is at low level. Therefore, the overall participatory level of community in water and waste environment management is at a medium level. The factors affecting the participatory of community in water and waste management are age, the period dwelling in the community and membership in which the mean difference is statistic significant at 0.05 in area of operation, being beneficial, and evaluation. For patterns of community participation, there is the correlation with water and waste management in 4 concerns which are 1) Participation in planning 2) Participation in operation 3) Participation in being beneficial both directly and indirectly benefited 4) Participation in evaluation and monitoring. The recommendation from this study is the need to create conscious awareness in order to increase participation level of people by organizing activities that promote participation with volunteer spirit. Government should open opportunities for people to participate in sharing ideas and create the culture of living together with equality which would build more concrete participation.
Abstract: Laboratory activities have produced benefits in
student learning. With current drives of new technology resources
and evolving era of education methods, renewal status of learning
and teaching in laboratory methods are in progress, for both learners
and the educators. To enhance learning outcomes in laboratory works
particularly in engineering practices and testing, learning via handson
by instruction may not sufficient. This paper describes and
compares techniques and implementation of traditional (expository)
with open-ended laboratory (problem-based) for two consecutive
cohorts studying environmental laboratory course in civil engineering
program. The transition of traditional to problem-based findings and
effect were investigated in terms of course assessment student
feedback survey, course outcome learning measurement and student
performance grades. It was proved that students have demonstrated
better performance in their grades and 12% increase in the course
outcome (CO) in problem-based open-ended laboratory style than
traditional method; although in perception, students has responded
less favorable in their feedback.
Abstract: This paper offers a case study, in which
methodological aspects of cell design for transformation the
production process are applied. The cell redesign in this work is
tightly focused to reach optimization of material flows under real
manufacturing conditions. Accordingly, more individual techniques
were aggregated into compact methodical procedure with aim to built
one-piece flow production. Case study was concentrated on relatively
typical situation of transformation from batch production to cellular
manufacturing.
Abstract: Multi-agent system approach has proven to be an effective and appropriate abstraction level to construct whole models of a diversity of biological problems, integrating aspects which can be found both in "micro" and "macro" approaches when modeling this type of phenomena. Taking into account these considerations, this paper presents the important computational characteristics to be gathered into a novel bioinformatics framework built upon a multiagent architecture. The version of the tool presented herein allows studying and exploring complex problems belonging principally to structural biology, such as protein folding. The bioinformatics framework is used as a virtual laboratory to explore a minimalist model of protein folding as a test case. In order to show the laboratory concept of the platform as well as its flexibility and adaptability, we studied the folding of two particular sequences, one of 45-mer and another of 64-mer, both described by an HP model (only hydrophobic and polar residues) and coarse grained 2D-square lattice. According to the discussion section of this piece of work, these two sequences were chosen as breaking points towards the platform, in order to determine the tools to be created or improved in such a way to overcome the needs of a particular computation and analysis of a given tough sequence. The backwards philosophy herein is that the continuous studying of sequences provides itself important points to be added into the platform, to any time improve its efficiency, as is demonstrated herein.
Abstract: Developing countries are facing a problem of slums and there appears to be no fool proof solution to eradicate them. For improving the quality of life there are three approaches of slum development and In-situ up-gradation approach is found to be the best one, while the relocation approach has proved to be failure. Factors responsible for failure of relocation projects are needed to be assessed, which is the basic aim of the paper. Factors responsible for failure of relocation projects are loss of livelihood, security of tenure and inefficiency of the Government. These factors are traced out & mapped from the examples of Western & Indian cities. National habitat, Resettlement policy emphasized relationship between shelter and work place. SRA has identified 55 slums for relocation due reservation of land uses, security of tenure and non- notified status of slums. The policy guidelines have been suggested for successful relocation projects. KeywordsLivelihood, Relocation, Slums, Urban poor.
Abstract: In most of the cases, natural disasters lead to the
necessity of evacuating people. The quality of evacuation
management is dramatically improved by the use of information
provided by decision support systems, which become indispensable
in case of large scale evacuation operations. This paper presents a
best practice case study. In November 2007, officers from the
Emergency Situations Inspectorate “Crisana" of Bihor County from
Romania participated to a cross-border evacuation exercise, when
700 people have been evacuated from Netherlands to Belgium. One
of the main objectives of the exercise was the test of four different
decision support systems. Afterwards, based on that experience,
software system called TEVAC (Trans Border Evacuation) has been
developed “in house" by the experts of this institution. This original
software system was successfully tested in September 2008, during
the deployment of the international exercise EU-HUROMEX 2008,
the scenario involving real evacuation of 200 persons from Hungary
to Romania. Based on the lessons learned and results, starting from
April 2009, the TEVAC software is used by all Emergency
Situations Inspectorates all over Romania.