Abstract: Patients under health treatments that involve long
stays at a hospital or health center (e.g. cancer, organ transplants and
severe burns), tend to get bored or depressed because of the lack of
social interaction with family and friends. Such a situation also
affects the evolution and effectiveness of their treatments. In many
cases, the solution to this problem involves extra challenges, since
many patients need to rest quietly (or remain in bed) to their being
contagious. Considering the weak health condition in which usually
are these kinds, keeping them motivated and quiet represents an
important challenge for nurses and caregivers. This article presents a
mobile ubiquitous game called MagicRace, which allows hospitalized
kinds to interact socially with one another without putting to risk
their sensitive health conditions. The game does not require a
communication infrastructure at the hospital, but instead, it uses a
mobile ad hoc network composed of the handheld devices used by
the kids to play. The usability and performance of this application
was tested in two different sessions. The preliminary results show
that users experienced positive feelings from this experience.
Abstract: The pipe taper thread measurement and uncertainty
normally used the four-wire probe according to the JIS B 0262.
Besides, according to the EA-10/10 standard, the pipe thread could be
measured using the three-wire probe. This research proposed to use
the three-wire probe measuring the pitch diameter of the pipe taper
thread. The measuring accessory component was designed and made,
then, assembled to one side of the ULM 828 CiM machine.
Therefore, this machine could be used to measure and calibrate both
the pipe thread and the pipe taper thread. The equations and the
expanded uncertainty for pitch diameter measurement were
formulated. After the experiment, the results showed that the pipe
taper thread had the pitch diameter equal to 19.165mm and the
expanded uncertainty equal to 1.88µm. Then, the experiment results
were compared to the results from the National Institute of Metrology
Thailand. The equivalence ratio from the comparison showed that
both results were related. Thus, the proposed method of using the
three-wire probe measured the pitch diameter of the pipe taper thread
was acceptable.
Abstract: The main aim of the current work is to examine if 14N
is candidate to be clusterized nuclei or not. In order to check this
attendance, we have measured the angular distributions for 14N ion
beam elastically scattered on 12C target nuclei at different low
energies; 17.5, 21, and 24.5MeV which are close to the Coulomb
barrier energy for 14N+12C nuclear system. Study of various transfer
reactions could provide us with useful information about the
attendance of nuclei to be in a composite form (core + valence). The
experimental data were analyzed using two approaches;
Phenomenological (Optical Potential) and semi-microscopic (Double
Folding Potential). The agreement between the experimental data and
the theoretical predictions is fairly good in the whole angular range.
Abstract: Several meteorological parameters were used for the
prediction of monthly average daily global solar radiation on
horizontal using recurrent neural networks (RNNs). Climatological
data and measures, mainly air temperature, humidity, sunshine
duration, and wind speed between 1995 and 2007 were used to design
and validate a feed forward and recurrent neural network based
prediction systems. In this paper we present our reference system
based on a feed-forward multilayer perceptron (MLP) as well as the
proposed approach based on an RNN model. The obtained results
were promising and comparable to those obtained by other existing
empirical and neural models. The experimental results showed the
advantage of RNNs over simple MLPs when we deal with time series
solar radiation predictions based on daily climatological data.
Abstract: Industries using conventional fossil fuels have an
interest in better understanding the mechanism of particulate
formation during combustion since such is responsible for emission
of undesired inorganic elements that directly impact the atmospheric
pollution level. Fine and ultrafine particulates have tendency to
escape the flue gas cleaning devices to the atmosphere. They also
preferentially collect on surfaces in power systems resulting in
ascending in corrosion inclination, descending in the heat transfer
thermal unit, and severe impact on human health. This adverseness
manifests particularly in the regions of world where coal is the
dominated source of energy for consumption.
This study highlights the behavior of calcium transformation as
mineral grains verses organically associated inorganic components
during pulverized coal combustion. The influence of existing type of
calcium on the coarse, fine and ultrafine mode formation mechanisms
is also presented. The impact of two sub-bituminous coals on particle
size and calcium composition evolution during combustion is to be
assessed. Three mixed blends named Blends 1, 2, and 3 are selected
according to the ration of coal A to coal B by weight. Calcium
percentage in original coal increases as going from Blend 1 to 3.
A mathematical model and a new approach of describing
constituent distribution are proposed. Analysis of experiments of
calcium distribution in ash is also modeled using Poisson distribution.
A novel parameter, called elemental index λ, is introduced as a
measuring factor of element distribution.
Results show that calcium in ash that originally in coal as mineral
grains has index of 17, whereas organically associated calcium
transformed to fly ash shown to be best described when elemental
index λ is 7.
As an alkaline-earth element, calcium is considered the
fundamental element responsible for boiler deficiency since it is the
major player in the mechanism of ash slagging process. The
mechanism of particle size distribution and mineral species of ash
particles are presented using CCSEM and size-segregated ash
characteristics. Conclusions are drawn from the analysis of
pulverized coal ash generated from a utility-scale boiler.
Abstract: Urban road dust comprises of a range of potentially
toxic metal elements and plays a critical role in degrading urban
receiving water quality. Hence, assessing the metal composition and
concentration in urban road dust is a high priority. This study
investigated the variability of metal composition and concentrations
in road dust in 4 different urban land uses in Gold Coast, Australia.
Samples from 16 road sites were collected and tested for selected 12
metal species. The data set was analyzed using both univariate and
multivariate techniques. Outcomes of the data analysis revealed that
the metal concentrations inroad dust differs considerably within and
between different land uses. Iron, aluminum, magnesium and zinc are
the most abundant in urban land uses. It was also noted that metal
species such as titanium, nickel, copper and zinc have the highest
concentrations in industrial land use. The study outcomes revealed
that soil and traffic related sources as key sources of metals deposited
on road surfaces.
Abstract: In today’s business environment, companies should
make strategic decisions to gain sustainable competitive advantage.
Order selection is a crucial issue among these decisions especially for
steel production industry. When the companies allocate a high
proportion of their design and production capacities to their ongoing
projects, determining which customer order should be chosen among
the potential orders without exceeding the remaining capacity is the
major critical problem. In this study, it is aimed to identify and
prioritize the evaluation factors for the customer order selection
problem. Conjoint Analysis is used to examine the importance level
of each factor which is determined as the potential profit rate per unit
of time, the compatibility of potential order with available capacity,
the level of potential future order with higher profit, customer credit
of future business opportunity, and the negotiability level of
production schedule for the order.
Abstract: Waste of certain process can be the input source of
other sectors in order to reduce environmental pollution. Today there
are more and more solid wastes are generated, but only very small
amount of those are recycled. So, the threatening of environmental
pressure to public health is very serious. The methods considered for
the treatment of solid waste are biogas tanks or processing to make
animal feed and fertilizer, however, they did not perform well. An
alternative approach is growing mushrooms on waste residues. This
is regarded as an environmental friendly solution with potential
economical benefit. The substrate producers do their best to produce
quality substrate at low cost. Apart from other methods, this can be
achieved by employing biologically degradable wastes used as the
resource material component of the substrate. Mushroom growing is
a significant tool for the restoration, replenishment and remediation
of Earth’s overburdened ecosphere. One of the rational methods of
waste utilization involves locally available wastes. The present study
aims to find out the yield of mushroom grown on locally available
waste for free and to conserve our environment by recycling wastes.
Abstract: This paper presents a new control scheme to control a brushless doubly fed induction generator (BDFIG) using back-to-back PWM converters for wind power generation. The proposed control scheme is a New Self-Tuning Fuzzy Proportional-Derivative Controller (NSTFPDC). The goal of BDFIG control is to achieve a similar dynamic performance to the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), exploiting the well-known induction machine vector control philosophy. The performance of NSTFPDC controller has been investigated and compared with the two controllers, called Proportional–Integral (PI) and PD-like Fuzzy Logic controller (PD-like FLC) based BDFIG. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and the robustness of the NSTFPDC controller.
Abstract: In this paper, a numerical algorithm using a coupled Galerkin-Differential Quadrature (DQ) method is proposed for the solution of dam-reservoir interaction problem. The governing differential equation of motion of the dam structure is discretized by the Galerkin method and the DQM is used to discretize the fluid domain. The resulting systems of ordinary differential equations are then solved by the Newmark time integration scheme. The mixed scheme combines the simplicity of the Galerkin method and high accuracy and efficiency of the DQ method. Its accuracy and efficiency are demonstrated by comparing the calculated results with those of the existing literature. It is shown that highly accurate results can be obtained using a small number of Galerkin terms and DQM sampling points. The technique presented in this investigation is general and can be used to solve various fluid-structure interaction problems.
Abstract: This paper explains the results of an investigation on the analysis of flush end plate steel connections by means of finite element method. Flush end plates are a highly indeterminate type of connection, which have a number of parameters that affect their behavior. Because of this, experimental investigations are complicated and very costly. Today, the finite element method provides an ideal method for analyzing complicated structures. Finite element models of these types of connections under monotonic loading have previously been investigated. A numerical model, which can predict the cyclic behavior of these connections, is of critical importance, as dynamic experiments are more costly. This paper summarizes a study to develop a three-dimensional finite element model that can accurately capture the cyclic behavior of flush end plate connections. Comparisons between FEM results and experimental results obtained from full-scale tests have been carried out, which confirms the accuracy of the finite element model. Consequently, design equations for this connection have been investigated and it is shown that these predictions are not precise in all cases. The effect of end plate thickness and bolt diameter on the overall behavior of this connection is discussed. This research demonstrates that using the appropriate configuration, this connection has the potential to form a plastic hinge in the beam--desirable in seismic behavior.
Abstract: Dynamic systems, which in mathematical point of view are those governed by differential equations, are much more difficult to study and to predict their behavior in comparison with static systems which are governed by algebraic equations. Economical systems such as market are among complicated dynamic systems. This paper tries to adopt a very simple mathematical model for market and to study effect of supply and demand function on behavior of the market while the supply side experiences a lag due to production restrictions.
Abstract: The Proton Exchange Membranes (PEM) are largely studied because they operate at low temperatures and they are suitable for mobile applications. However, there are some deficiencies in their operation, mainly those that use ethanol as a hydrogen source, that require a certain attention. Therefore, this research aimed to develop Nafion® composite membranes, mixing clay minerals, kaolin and halloysite to the polymer matrix in order to improve the ethanol molecule retentions and, at the same time, to keep the system’s protonic conductivity. The modified Nafion/Kaolin, Nafion/Halloysite composite membranes were prepared in weight proportion of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5. The membranes obtained were characterized as to their ethanol permeability, protonic conductivity and water absorption. The composite morphology and structure are characterized by SEM and EDX and the thermal behavior is determined by TGA and DSC. The analysis of the results shows ethanol permeability reduction from 48% to 63%. However, the protonic conductivity results are lower in relation to pure Nafion®. As to the thermal behavior, the Nafion® composite membranes were stable up to a temperature of 325ºC.
Abstract: Pioneer networked systems assume that connections are reliable, and a faulty operation will be considered in case of losing a connection. Transient connections are typical of mobile devices. Areas of application of data sharing system such as these, lead to the conclusion that network connections may not always be reliable, and that the conventional approaches can be improved. Nigerian commercial banking industry is a critical system whose operation is increasingly becoming dependent on information technology (IT) driven information system. The proposed solution to this problem makes use of a hierarchically clustered network structure which we selected to reflect (as much as possible) the typical organizational structure of the Nigerian commercial banks. Representative transactions such as data updates and replication of the results of such updates were used to simulate the proposed model to show its applicability.
Abstract: Kumasi is Ghana’s second largest and fastest growing city with an annual population growth rate of 5.4 percent. A major result of this phenomenon is a growing sprawl at the fringes of the city. This paper assesses the nature, extent and impact of sprawl on Kumasi and examines urban planning efforts at addressing this phenomenon. Both secondary and empirical data were collected from decentralized government departments of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and residents of some sprawling communities. The study reveals that sprawl in the metropolis is rapidly consuming fringe rural communities. This situation has weakened effective management of the metropolis causing problems such as congestion and conversion of peri-urban land into residential use without ancillary infrastructure and social services. The paper recommends effective and timely planning and provision of services as well as an overall economic development and spatial integration through regional planning as a way of achieving a long term solution to sprawl.
Abstract: The application of data mining to environmental monitoring has become crucial for a number of tasks related to emergency management. Over recent years, many tools have been developed for decision support system (DSS) for emergency management. In this article a graphical user interface (GUI) for environmental monitoring system is presented. This interface allows accomplishing (i) data collection and observation and (ii) extraction for data mining. This tool may be the basis for future development along the line of the open source software paradigm.
Abstract: This paper proposes a hierarchical hidden Markov model (HHMM) to model the detection of M vehicles in a wireless sensor network (WSN). The HHMM model contains an extra level of hidden Markov model to model the temporal transitions of each
state of the first HMM. By modeling the temporal transitions, only those hypothesis with nonzero transition probabilities needs to be tested. Thus, this method efficiently reduces the computation load, which is preferable in WSN applications.This paper integrates several techniques to optimize the detection performance. The output of the states of the first HMM is modeled as Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), where the number of states and the number of Gaussians are experimentally determined, while the other parameters are estimated using Expectation Maximization (EM). HHMM is used to model the sequence of the local decisions which are based on multiple hypothesis testing with maximum likelihood approach. The states in the HHMM represent various combinations of vehicles of different types. Due to the statistical advantages of multisensor data fusion, we propose a heuristic based on fuzzy weighted majority voting to enhance cooperative classification of moving vehicles within a region that is monitored by a wireless sensor network. A fuzzy inference system weighs each local decision based on the signal to noise
ratio of the acoustic signal for target detection and the signal to noise ratio of the radio signal for sensor communication. The spatial correlation among the observations of neighboring sensor nodes is efficiently utilized as well as the temporal correlation. Simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of this scheme.
Abstract: Measuring the reusability of Object-Oriented (OO) program code is important to ensure a successful and timely adaptation and integration of the reused code in new software projects. It has become even more relevant with the availability of huge amounts of open-source projects. Reuse saves cost, increases the speed of development and improves software reliability. Measuring this reusability is not s straight forward process due to the variety of metrics and qualities linked to software reuse and the lack of comprehensive empirical studies to support the proposed metrics or models. In this paper, a conceptual model is proposed to measure the reusability of OO program code. A comprehensive set of metrics is used to compute the most significant factors of reusability and an empirical investigation is conducted to measure the reusability of the classes of randomly selected open-source Java projects. Additionally, the impact of using inner and anonymous classes on the reusability of their enclosing classes is assessed. The results obtained are thoroughly analyzed to identify the factors behind lack of reusability in open-source OO program code and the impact of nesting on it.
Abstract: Since, both the relative position of tunnels and the construction procedure affect the soil movement and internal forces in the lining, it is of major concern to study the influence of these factors on the tunnel design. Construction procedures of tunnels have considerable effects on the magnitude of surface movements and lining stresses. This paper describes numerical analysis of construction procedure of a three adjacent shallow tunnels at high groundwater levels using the commercial finite difference software (FLAC-3D). The aim of this study is to determinate the most suitable construction procedure for the three tunnels and the optimum excavation step in Tehran Metro tunnels in order to optimize the surface settlements and lining stresses.
Abstract: Implementing of a continues flow gas lift system for one vertical oil well producer in Wafa field was investigated under five reservoir pressures and their dependent parameters. Well 03 producers were responded positively to the gas lift system despite of the high well head operating pressures. However, the flowing bottom hole pressures were reduced by a ratio from 6 to 33 % in the case A3 for example, for the design runs conducted under the existing operating conditions for years 2003, 2006 and 2009. This reduction in FBHP has increased the production rate by a ratio from 12 to 22.5%. The results indicated that continues flow gas lift system is a good candidate as an artificial lift system to be considered for the one vertical producer covered by this study. Most significantly, timing for artificial lift by a gas lift system for this field is highly dependent on the amount of gas available at the time of implementation because of the high gas production rate from the top of the reservoir.