Abstract: Biplot can be used to evaluate cultivars for their oil
percent potential and stability and to evaluate trial sites for their
discriminating ability and representativeness. Multi-environmental
trial (MET) data for oil percent of 10 open pollinating sunflower
cultivars were analyzed to investigate the genotype-environment
interactions. The genotypes were evaluated in four locations with
different climatic conditions in Iran in 2010. In each location, a
Randomized Complete Block design with four replications was used.
According to both mean and stability, Zaria, Master and R453, had
highest performances among all cultivars. The graphical analysis
identified best cultivar for each environment. Cultivars Berezans and
Record performed best in Khoy and Islamabad. Zaria and R453 were
the best genotypes in Sari and Karaj followed by Master and Favorit.
The GGE bi-plot indicated two mega-environments, group one
contained Karaj, Khoy and Islamabad and the second group
contained Sari. The best discriminating location was Karaj followed
with Khoy, Islamabad and Sari. The best representative genotypes
were Zaria, R453, Master and Favorit. Ranking of ten cultivars based
their oil percent was as Zaria > R453 ≈ Master ≈ Favorit > Record ≈
Berezans > Sor > Lakumka > Bulg3 > Bulg5.
Abstract: Utilization of waste material in asphalt pavement
would be beneficial in order to find an alternative solution to increase
service life of asphalt pavement and reduce environmental pollution
as well. One of these waste materials is Polyethylene Terephthalate
(PET) which is a type of polyester material and is produced in a large
extent. This research program is investigating the effects of adding
waste PET particles into the asphalt mixture with a maximum size of
2.36 mm. Different percentages of PET were added into the mixture
during dry process. Gap-graded mixture (SMA 14) and PG 80-100
asphalt binder have been used for this study. To evaluate PET
reinforced asphalt mixture different laboratory investigations have
been conducted on specimens. Marshall Stability test was carried
out. Besides, stiffness modulus test and indirect tensile fatigue test
were conducted on specimens at optimum asphalt content. It was
observed that in many cases PET reinforced SMA mixture had better
mechanical properties in comparison with control mixture.
Abstract: This paper describes an application of a dual satellite
geolocation (DSG) system on identifying and locating the unknown
source of uplink sweeping interference. The geolocation system
integrates the method of joint time difference of arrival (TDOA) and
frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) with ephemeris correction
technique which successfully demonstrated high accuracy in
interference source location. The factors affecting the location error
were also discussed.
Abstract: In this paper, numerical simulations are performed to investigate the effect of disturbance block on flow field of the classical square lid-driven cavity. Attentions are focused on vortex formation and studying the effect of block position on its structure. Corner vortices are different upon block position and new vortices are produced because of the block. Finite volume method is used to solve Navier-Stokes equations and PISO algorithm is employed for the linkage of velocity and pressure. Verification and grid independency of results are reported. Stream lines are sketched to visualize vortex structure in different block positions.
Abstract: The use of 3D computer-aided design (CAD) models
to support construction project planning has been increasing in the
previous year. 3D CAD models reveal more planning ideas by
visually showing the construction site environment in different stages
of the construction process. Using 3D CAD models together with
scheduling software to prepare construction plan can identify errors
in process sequence and spatial arrangement, which is vital to the
success of a construction project. A number of 4D (3D plus time)
CAD tools has been developed and utilized in different construction
projects due to the awareness of their importance. Virtual prototyping
extends the idea of 4D CAD by integrating more features for
simulating real construction process. Virtual prototyping originates
from the manufacturing industry where production of products such
as cars and airplanes are virtually simulated in computer before they
are built in the factory. Virtual prototyping integrates 3D CAD,
simulation engine, analysis tools (like structural analysis and
collision detection), and knowledgebase to streamline the whole
product design and production process. In this paper, we present the
application of a virtual prototyping software which has been used in
a few construction projects in Hong Kong to support construction
project planning. Specifically, the paper presents an implementation
of virtual prototyping in a residential building project in Hong Kong.
The applicability, difficulties and benefits of construction virtual
prototyping are examined based on this project.
Abstract: Internet Access Technologies (IAT) provide a means
through which Internet can be accessed. The choice of a suitable
Internet technology is increasingly becoming an important issue to
ISP clients. Currently, the choice of IAT is based on discretion and
intuition of the concerned managers and the reliance on ISPs. In this
paper we propose a model and designs algorithms that are used in the
Internet access technology specification. In the proposed model, three
ranking approaches are introduced; concurrent ranking, stepwise
ranking and weighted ranking. The model ranks the IAT based on
distance measures computed in ascending order while the global
ranking system assigns weights to each IAT according to the position
held in each ranking technique, determines the total weight of a
particular IAT and ranks them in descending order. The final output
is an objective ranking of IAT in descending order.
Abstract: A simple analytical model has been developed to
optimize biasing conditions for obtaining maximum linearity among
lattice-matched, pseudomorphic and metamorphic HEMT types as
well as enhancement and depletion HEMT modes. A nonlinear
current-voltage model has been simulated based on extracted data to
study and select the most appropriate type and mode of HEMT in
terms of a given gate-source biasing voltage within the device so as
to employ the circuit for the highest possible output current or
voltage linear swing. Simulation results can be used as a basis for the
selection of optimum gate-source biasing voltage for a given type
and mode of HEMT with regard to a circuit design. The
consequences can also be a criterion for choosing the optimum type
or mode of HEMT for a predetermined biasing condition.
Abstract: Pyrite (FeS2) is a promising candidate for cathode
materials in batteries because of it`s high theoretical capacity, low
cost and non-toxicity. In this study, nano size iron disulfide thin film
was prepared on graphite substrate through a new method as battery
cathode. In this way, acetylene black and poly vinylidene fluoride
were used as electron conductor and binder, respectively. Fabricated
thin films were analyzed by XRD and SEM. These results and
electrochemical data confirm improvement of battery discharge
capacity in comparison with commercial type of pyrite.
Abstract: In a metal forming process, the friction between the
material and the tools influences the process by modifying the stress
distribution of the workpiece. This frictional behaviour is often taken
into account by using a constant coefficient of friction in the finite
element simulations of sheet metal forming processes. However,
friction coefficient varies in time and space with many parameters.
The Stribeck friction model is investigated in this study to predict
springback behaviour of AA6061-T4 sheets during V-bending
process. The coefficient of friction in Stribeck curve depends on
sliding velocity and contact pressure. The plane-strain bending
process is simulated in ABAQUS/Standard. We compared the
computed punch load-stroke curves and springback related to the
constant coefficient of friction with the defined friction model. The
results clearly showed that the new friction model provides better
agreement between experiments and results of numerical simulations.
The influence of friction models on stress distribution in the
workpiece is also studied numerically
Abstract: The effects of irrigation with dairy factory wastewater
on soil properties were investigated at two sites that had received
irrigation for > 60 years. Two adjoining paired sites that had never
received DFE were also sampled as well as another seven fields from
a wider area around the factory. In comparison with paired sites that
had not received effluent, long-term wastewater irrigation resulted in
an increase in pH, EC, extractable P, exchangeable Na and K and
ESP. These changes were related to the use of phosphoric acid,
NaOH and KOH as cleaning agents in the factory. Soil organic C
content was unaffected by DFE irrigation but the size (microbial
biomass C and N) and activity (basal respiration) of the soil
microbial community were increased. These increases were
attributed to regular inputs of soluble C (e.g. lactose) present as milk
residues in the wastewater. Principal component analysis (PCA) of
the soils data from all 11sites confirmed that the main effects of DFE
irrigation were an increase in exchangeable Na, extractable P and
microbial biomass C, an accumulation of soluble salts and a liming
effect. PCA analysis of soil bacterial community structure, using
PCR-DGGE of 16S rDNA fragments, generally separated individual
sites from one another but did not group them according to irrigation
history. Thus, whilst the size and activity of the soil microbial
community were increased, the structure and diversity of the
bacterial community remained unaffected.
Abstract: To create a solution for a specific problem in machine
learning, the solution is constructed from the data or by use a search
method. Genetic algorithms are a model of machine learning that can
be used to find nearest optimal solution. While the great advantage of
genetic algorithms is the fact that they find a solution through
evolution, this is also the biggest disadvantage. Evolution is inductive,
in nature life does not evolve towards a good solution but it evolves
away from bad circumstances. This can cause a species to evolve into
an evolutionary dead end. In order to reduce the effect of this
disadvantage we propose a new a learning tool (criteria) which can be
included into the genetic algorithms generations to compare the
previous population and the current population and then decide
whether is effective to continue with the previous population or the
current population, the proposed learning tool is called as Keeping
Efficient Population (KEP). We applied a GA based on KEP to the
production line layout problem, as a result KEP keep the evaluation
direction increases and stops any deviation in the evaluation.
Abstract: An attempt has been made to develop a
seminumerical model to study temperature variations in dermal
layers of human limbs. The model has been developed for two
dimensional steady state case. The human limb has been assumed to
have elliptical cross section. The dermal region has been divided
into three natural layers namely epidermis, dermis and subdermal
tissues. The model incorporates the effect of important physiological
parameters like blood mass flow rate, metabolic heat generation, and
thermal conductivity of the tissues. The outer surface of the limb is
exposed to the environment and it is assumed that heat loss takes
place at the outer surface by conduction, convection, radiation, and
evaporation. The temperature of inner core of the limb also varies at
the lower atmospheric temperature. Appropriate boundary conditions
have been framed based on the physical conditions of the problem.
Cubic splines approach has been employed along radial direction and
Fourier series along angular direction to obtain the solution. The
numerical results have been computed for different values of
eccentricity resembling with the elliptic cross section of the human
limbs. The numerical results have been used to obtain the
temperature profile and to study the relationships among the various
physiological parameters.
Abstract: Accurate demand forecasting is one of the most key
issues in inventory management of spare parts. The problem of
modeling future consumption becomes especially difficult for lumpy
patterns, which characterized by intervals in which there is no
demand and, periods with actual demand occurrences with large
variation in demand levels. However, many of the forecasting
methods may perform poorly when demand for an item is lumpy.
In this study based on the characteristic of lumpy demand patterns
of spare parts a hybrid forecasting approach has been developed,
which use a multi-layered perceptron neural network and a
traditional recursive method for forecasting future demands. In the
described approach the multi-layered perceptron are adapted to
forecast occurrences of non-zero demands, and then a conventional
recursive method is used to estimate the quantity of non-zero
demands. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed
approach, their forecasts were compared to those obtained by using
Syntetos & Boylan approximation, recently employed multi-layered
perceptron neural network, generalized regression neural network
and elman recurrent neural network in this area. The models were
applied to forecast future demand of spare parts of Arak
Petrochemical Company in Iran, using 30 types of real data sets. The
results indicate that the forecasts obtained by using our proposed
mode are superior to those obtained by using other methods.
Abstract: This paper presents an approach for the determination of the optimal cutting parameters (spindle speed, feed rate, depth of cut and engagement) leading to minimum surface roughness in face milling of high silicon stainless steel by coupling neural network (NN) and Electromagnetism-like Algorithm (EM). In this regard, the advantages of statistical experimental design technique, experimental measurements, artificial neural network, and Electromagnetism-like optimization method are exploited in an integrated manner. To this end, numerous experiments on this stainless steel were conducted to obtain surface roughness values. A predictive model for surface roughness is created by using a back propogation neural network, then the optimization problem was solved by using EM optimization. Additional experiments were performed to validate optimum surface roughness value predicted by EM algorithm. It is clearly seen that a good agreement is observed between the predicted values by EM coupled with feed forward neural network and experimental measurements. The obtained results show that the EM algorithm coupled with back propogation neural network is an efficient and accurate method in approaching the global minimum of surface roughness in face milling.
Abstract: Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs) are useful data
structures for symbolic Boolean manipulations. BDDs are used in
many tasks in VLSI/CAD, such as equivalence checking, property
checking, logic synthesis, and false paths. In this paper we describe a
new approach for the realization of a BDD package. To perform
manipulations of Boolean functions, the proposed approach does not
depend on the recursive synthesis operation of the IF-Then-Else
(ITE). Instead of using the ITE operation, the basic synthesis
algorithm is done using Boolean NOR operation.
Abstract: The demands of taller structures are becoming imperative almost everywhere in the world in addition to the challenges of material and labor cost, project time line etc. This paper conducted a study keeping in view the challenging nature of high-rise construction with no generic rules for deflection minimizations and frequency control. The effects of cyclonic wind and provision of outriggers on 28-storey, 42-storey and 57-storey are examined in this paper and certain conclusions are made which would pave way for researchers to conduct further study in this particular area of civil engineering. The results show that plan dimensions have vital impacts on structural heights. Increase of height while keeping the plan dimensions same, leads to the reduction in the lateral rigidity. To achieve required stiffness increase of bracings sizes as well as introduction of additional lateral resisting system such as belt truss and outriggers is required.
Abstract: In the present analysis an unsteady laminar
forced convection water boundary layer flow is considered.
The fluid properties such as viscosity and Prandtl number are
taken as variables such that those are inversely proportional to
temperature. By using quasi-linearization technique the nonlinear
coupled partial differential equations are linearized and
the numerical solutions are obtained by using implicit finite
difference scheme with the appropriate selection of step sizes.
Non-similar solutions have been obtained from the starting
point of the stream-wise coordinate to the point where skin
friction value vanishes. The effect non-uniform mass transfer
along the surface of the cylinder through slot is studied on the
skin friction and heat transfer coefficients.
Abstract: This paper deals with an adaptive multiuser detector for direct sequence code division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) systems. A modified receiver, precombinig LMMSE is considered under time varying channel environment. Detector updating is performed with two criterions, mean square estimation (MSE) and MOE optimization technique. The adaptive implementation issues of these two schemes are quite different. MSE criterion updates the filter weights by minimizing error between data vector and adaptive vector. MOE criterion together with canonical representation of the detector results in a constrained optimization problem. Even though the canonical representation is very complicated under time varying channels, it is analyzed with assumption of average power profile of multipath replicas of user of interest. The performance of both schemes is studied for practical SNR conditions. Results show that for poor SNR, MSE precombining LMMSE is better than the blind precombining LMMSE but for greater SNR, MOE scheme outperforms with better result.
Abstract: The development of distributed systems has been affected by the need to accommodate an increasing degree of flexibility, adaptability, and autonomy. The Mobile Agent technology is emerging as an alternative to build a smart generation of highly distributed systems. In this work, we investigate the performance aspect of agent-based technologies for information retrieval. We present a comparative performance evaluation model of Mobile Agents versus Remote Method Invocation by means of an analytical approach. We demonstrate the effectiveness of mobile agents for dynamic code deployment and remote data processing by reducing total latency and at the same time producing minimum network traffic. We argue that exploiting agent-based technologies significantly enhances the performance of distributed systems in the domain of information retrieval.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is the introduction to a
unified optimization framework for research and education. The
OPTILIB framework implements different general purpose algorithms
for combinatorial optimization and minimum search on standard continuous
test functions. The preferences of this library are the straightforward
integration of new optimization algorithms and problems
as well as the visualization of the optimization process of different
methods exploring the search space exclusively or for the real time
visualization of different methods in parallel. Further the usage of
several implemented methods is presented on the basis of two use
cases, where the focus is especially on the algorithm visualization.
First it is demonstrated how different methods can be compared
conveniently using OPTILIB on the example of different iterative
improvement schemes for the TRAVELING SALESMAN PROBLEM.
A second study emphasizes how the framework can be used to find
global minima in the continuous domain.