Abstract: We have fabricated a-IGZO TFT and investigated the
stability under positive DC and AC bias stress. The threshold voltage
of a-IGZO TFT shifts positively under those biases, and that reduces
on-current. For this reason, conventional shift-register circuit
employing TFTs which stressed by positive bias will be unstable, may
do not work properly. We have designed a new 6-transistor
shift-register, which has less transistors than prior circuits. The TFTs
of the proposed shift-register are not suffering from positive DC or AC
stress, mainly kept unbiased. Despite the compact design, the stable
output signal was verified through the SPICE simulation even under
RC delay of clock signal.
Abstract: Most standard software development methodologies
are often not applied to software projects in many developing
countries of the world. The approach generally practice is close to
what eXtreme Programming (XP) is likely promoting, just keep
coding and testing as the requirement evolves. XP is an agile
software process development methodology that has inherent
capability for improving efficiency of Business Software
Development (BSD). XP can facilitate Business-to-Development
(B2D) relationship due to its customer-oriented advocate. From
practitioner point of view, we applied XP to BSD and result shows
that customer involvement has positive impact on productivity, but
can as well frustrate the success of the project. In an effort to
promote software engineering practice in developing countries of
Africa, we present the experiment performed, lessons learned,
problems encountered and solution adopted in applying XP
methodology to BSD.
Abstract: Flexible manufacturing system is a system that is able to respond to changed conditions. In general, this flexibility is divided into two key categories and several subcategories. The first category is the so called machine flexibility which enables to make various products by the given machinery. The second category is routing flexibility enabling to execute the same operation by various machines. Flexible manufacturing systems usually consist of three main parts: CNC machine tools, transport system and control system. A higher level of flexible manufacturing systems is represented by the so called intelligent manufacturing systems.
Abstract: This paper presents a conceptual model of agreement
options on negotiation support for civil engineering decision. The
negotiation support facilitates the solving of group choice decision
making problems in civil engineering decision to reduce the impact
of mud volcano disaster in Sidoarjo, Indonesia. The approach based
on application of analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method for
multi criteria decision on three level of decision hierarchy.
Decisions for reducing impact is very complicated since many
parties involved in a critical time. Where a number of stakeholders
are involved in choosing a single alternative from a set of solution
alternatives, there are different concern caused by differing
stakeholder preferences, experiences, and background. Therefore, a
group choice decision support is required to enable each stakeholder
to evaluate and rank the solution alternatives before engaging into
negotiation with the other stakeholders. Such civil engineering
solutions as alternatives are referred to as agreement options that are
determined by identifying the possible stakeholder choice, followed
by determining the optimal solution for each group of stakeholder.
Determination of the optimal solution is based on a game theory
model of n-person general sum game with complete information that
involves forming coalitions among stakeholders.
Abstract: Trust and Energy consumption is the most challenging
issue in routing protocol design for Mobile ad hoc networks
(MANETs), since mobile nodes are battery powered and nodes
behaviour are unpredictable. Furthermore replacing and recharging
batteries and making nodes co-operative is often impossible in
critical environments like military applications. In this paper, we
propose a trust based energy aware routing model in MANET.
During route discovery, node with more trust and maximum energy
capacity is selected as a router based on a parameter called
'Reliability'. Route request from the source is accepted by a node
only if its reliability is high. Otherwise, the route request is
discarded. This approach forms a reliable route from source to
destination thus increasing network life time, improving energy
utilization and decreasing number of packet loss during transmission.
Abstract: The implementation of the new software and hardware-s technologies for tritium processing nuclear plants, and especially those with an experimental character or of new technology developments shows a coefficient of complexity due to issues raised by the implementation of the performing instrumentation and equipment into a unitary monitoring system of the nuclear technological process of tritium removal. Keeping the system-s flexibility is a demand of the nuclear experimental plants for which the change of configuration, process and parameters is something usual. The big amount of data that needs to be processed stored and accessed for real time simulation and optimization demands the achievement of the virtual technologic platform where the data acquiring, control and analysis systems of the technological process can be integrated with a developed technological monitoring system. Thus, integrated computing and monitoring systems needed for the supervising of the technological process will be executed, to be continued with the execution of optimization system, by choosing new and performed methods corresponding to the technological processes within the tritium removal processing nuclear plants. The developing software applications is executed with the support of the program packages dedicated to industrial processes and they will include acquisition and monitoring sub-modules, named “virtually" as well as the storage sub-module of the process data later required for the software of optimization and simulation of the technological process for tritium removal. The system plays and important role in the environment protection and durable development through new technologies, that is – the reduction of and fight against industrial accidents in the case of tritium processing nuclear plants. Research for monitoring optimisation of nuclear processes is also a major driving force for economic and social development.
Abstract: Tomato nutrition value, color, flavor of their fruits and products depends mainly on lycopene, β-carotene, ascorbic acid, sugars and their ratio. The two most important carotenoids in fruits of tomato are lycopene, which determined fruits red color, and β- carotene, which accounts for approximately 7% of the tomato carotenoids. Therefore, tomato products and their quality can be well characterized by the content of these elements.Maturity at harvest is very important to composition and quality of tomatoes. This is especially a problem with tomatoes picked green since it is difficult to differentiate between mature and immature-green fruits. Typical and advanced mature-green tomatoes will usually attain a much better flavor than those picked at the immature or partially mature stages.To better understand the synthesis of biochemical compounds, their concentration should be compared not only at the last stage of maturity, but also during all fruit ripening period in different varieties.
Abstract: Today, incorrect use of lands and land use changes,
excessive grazing, no suitable using of agricultural farms, plowing on
steep slopes, road construct, building construct, mine excavation etc
have been caused increasing of soil erosion and sediment yield. For
erosion and sediment estimation one can use statistical and empirical
methods. This needs to identify land unit map and the map of
effective factors. However, these empirical methods are usually time
consuming and do not give accurate estimation of erosion. In this
study, we applied GIS techniques to estimate erosion and sediment of
Menderjan watershed at upstream Zayandehrud river in center of
Iran. Erosion faces at each land unit were defined on the basis of land
use, geology and land unit map using GIS. The UTM coordinates of
each erosion type that showed more erosion amounts such as rills and
gullies were inserted in GIS using GPS data. The frequency of
erosion indicators at each land unit, land use and their sediment yield
of these indices were calculated. Also using tendency analysis of
sediment yield changes in watershed outlet (Menderjan hydrometric
gauge station), was calculated related parameters and estimation
errors. The results of this study according to implemented watershed
management projects can be used for more rapid and more accurate
estimation of erosion than traditional methods. These results can also
be used for regional erosion assessment and can be used for remote
sensing image processing.
Abstract: This paper investigates vortex shedding processes
occurring at the end of a stack of parallel plates, due to an oscillating
flow induced by an acoustic standing wave within an acoustic
resonator. Here, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is used to quantify
the vortex shedding processes within an acoustic cycle
phase-by-phase, in particular during the “ejection" of the fluid out of
the stack. Standard hot-wire anemometry measurement is also applied
to detect the velocity fluctuations near the end of the stack.
Combination of these two measurement techniques allowed a detailed
analysis of the vortex shedding phenomena. The results obtained show
that, as the Reynolds number varies (by varying the plate thickness
and drive ratio), different flow patterns of vortex shedding are
observed by the PIV measurement. On the other hand, the
time-dependent hot-wire measurements allow obtaining detailed
frequency spectra of the velocity signal, used for calculating
characteristic Strouhal numbers. The impact of the plate thickness and
the Reynolds number on the vortex shedding pattern has been
discussed. Furthermore, a detailed map of the relationship between the
Strouhal number and Reynolds number has been obtained and
discussed.
Abstract: The iris recognition technology is the most accurate,
fast and less invasive one compared to other biometric techniques
using for example fingerprints, face, retina, hand geometry, voice or
signature patterns. The system developed in this study has the
potential to play a key role in areas of high-risk security and can
enable organizations with means allowing only to the authorized
personnel a fast and secure way to gain access to such areas. The
paper aim is to perform the iris region detection and iris inner and
outer boundaries localization. The system was implemented on
windows platform using Visual C# programming language. It is easy
and efficient tool for image processing to get great performance
accuracy. In particular, the system includes two main parts. The first
is to preprocess the iris images by using Canny edge detection
methods, segments the iris region from the rest of the image and
determine the location of the iris boundaries by applying Hough
transform. The proposed system tested on 756 iris images from 60
eyes of CASIA iris database images.
Abstract: Australia, while being a large and eager consumer of
innovative and cutting edge Information and Communication
Technologies (ICT), continues to struggle to remain a leader in
Technological Innovation. This paper has two main contributions to
address certain aspects of this complex issue. The first being the
current findings of an ongoing research project on Information and
Innovation Management in the Australian Information and
Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. The major issues being
considered by the project include: investigation of the possible
inherent entrepreneurial nature of ICT; how to foster ICT innovation;
and examination of the inherent difficulties currently found within
the ICT industry of Australia in regards to supporting the
development of innovative and creative ideas. The second major
contribution is details of the I.-C.A.N. (Innovation by Collaborative
Anonymous Networking) software application information
management tool created and evolving in our research group. I-CAN,
besides having a positive reinforcement acronym, is aimed at
facilitating productive collaborative innovation in an Australian
workplace. Such a work environment is frequently subjected to
cultural influences such as the 'tall poppy syndrome' and 'negative'
or 'unconstructive' peer-pressure. There influences are frequently
seen as inhibitors to employee participation, entrepreneurship and
innovation.
Abstract: Vortex-shedding phenomenon of the flow
around combined two bodies having various geometries and sizes has been investigated experimentally in the Reynolds
number range between 4.1x103 and 1.75x104. To see the effect
of the rotation of the bodies on the vortex shedding, the
combined bodies were rotated from 0° to 180°. The combined models have a cross section composing of a main circular cylinder and an attached circular or square cylinder. Results
have shown that Strouhal numbers for two cases were
changed considerably with the angle of incidence, while it was found to be largely independent of Reynolds number at 150. Characteristics of the vortex formation region and
location of flow attachments, reattachments, and separations
were observed by means of the flow visualizations.
Depending on the inclination angle the effects of flow
attachment, separation and reattachment on vortex-shedding phenomenon have been discussed.
Abstract: Power systems and transformer are intrinsic apparatus, therefore its reliability and safe operation is important to determine their operation conditions, and the industry uses quality control tests in the insulation design of oil filled transformers. Hence the service period effect on AC dielectric strength is significant. The effect of aging on transformer oil physical, chemical and electrical properties was studied using the international testing methods for the evaluation of transformer oil quality. The study was carried out on six transformers operate in the field and for monitoring periods over twenty years. The properties which are strongly time dependent were specified and those which have a great impact on the transformer oil acidity, breakdown voltage and dissolved gas analysis were defined. Several tests on the transformers oil were studied to know the time of purifying or changing it, moreover prediction of the characteristics of it under different operation conditions.
Abstract: A research study was conducted with an objective to propose a collaborative business strategy of a oil and gas trading company, representing PPT Energy Trading Co., Ltd., with its shareholder, especially electricity and power supply companies for LNG Form of Coal Bed Methane in B2B Transaction. Collaborative business strategy is a strategy to collaborate with other organizations due to have future benefits in both parties, or achieve the business objective through the collaboration of business, its strategy and partners. A structured interview was established to collect the required primary data from the company. Not only interview, but also company’s business plan and annual report were collected and analyzed for the company’s current condition. As the result, this research shows a recommendation to propose a new collaborative strategy with limiting its target market, diversifying product, conducting new business model, and considering other stakeholders.
Abstract: Cluster analysis divides data into groups that are
meaningful, useful, or both. Analysis of biological data is creating a
new generation of epidemiologic, prognostic, diagnostic and
treatment modalities. Clustering of protein sequences is one of the
current research topics in the field of computer science. Linear
relation is valuable in rule discovery for a given data, such as if value
X goes up 1, value Y will go down 3", etc. The classical linear
regression models the linear relation of two sequences perfectly.
However, if we need to cluster a large repository of protein sequences
into groups where sequences have strong linear relationship with
each other, it is prohibitively expensive to compare sequences one by
one. In this paper, we propose a new technique named General
Regression Model Technique Clustering Algorithm (GRMTCA) to
benignly handle the problem of linear sequences clustering. GRMT
gives a measure, GR*, to tell the degree of linearity of multiple
sequences without having to compare each pair of them.
Abstract: This paper presents an experimental investigation of
transformer dielectric response and solid insulation water content.
The dielectric response was carried out on the base of Hybrid
Frequency Dielectric Spectroscopy and Polarization Current
measurements method (FDS &PC). The calculation of the water
content in paper is based on the water content in oil and the obtained
equilibrium curves. A reference measurements were performed at
equilibrium conditions for water content in oil and paper of
transformer at different stable temperatures (25, 50, 60 and 70°C) to
prepare references to evaluate the insulation behavior at the not
equilibrium conditions. Some measurements performed at the
different simulated normal working modes of transformer operation
at the same temperature where the equilibrium conditions. The
obtained results show that when transformer temperature is mach
more than the its ambient temperature, the transformer temperature
decreases immediately after disconnecting the transformer from the
network and this temperature reduction influences the transformer
insulation condition in the measuring process. In addition to the oil
temperature at the near places to the sensors, the temperature
uniformity in transformer which can be changed by a big change in
the load of transformer before the measuring time will influence the
result. The investigations have shown that the extremely influence of
the time between disconnecting the transformer and beginning the
measurements on the results. And the online monitoring for water
content in paper measurements, on the basis of the oil water content
on line monitoring and the obtained equilibrium curves. The
measurements where performed continuously and for about 50 days
without any disconnection in the prepared the adiabatic room.
Abstract: This paper presents the development of a software
application for Off-line robot task programming and simulation. Such
application is designed to assist in robot task planning and to direct
manipulator motion on sensor based programmed motion. The
concept of the designed programming application is to use the power
of the knowledge base for task accumulation. In support of the
programming means, an interactive graphical simulation for
manipulator kinematics was also developed and integrated into the
application as the complimentary factor to the robot programming
media. The simulation provides the designer with useful,
inexpensive, off-line tools for retain and testing robotics work cells
and automated assembly lines for various industrial applications.
Abstract: The majority of micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia
operate very small-scaled business activities such as food stalls,
burger stalls, night market hawkers, grocery stores, constructions,
rubber and oil palm small holders, and other agro-based services and
activities. Why are they venturing into entrepreneurship - is it for
survival, out of interest or due to encouragement and assistance from
the local government? And why is it that some micro-entrepreneurs
are lagging behind in entrepreneurship, and what do they need to
rectify this situation so that they are able to progress further?
Furthermore, what are the skills that the micro entrepreneurs should
developed to transform them into successful micro-enterprises and
become small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)? This paper
proposes a 7-Step approach that can serve as a basis for identification
of critical entrepreneurial success factors that enable policy makers,
practitioners, consultants, training managers and other agencies in
developing tools to assist micro business owners. This paper also
highlights the experience of one of the successful companies in
Malaysia that has transformed from micro-enterprise to become a
large organization in less than 10 years.
Abstract: Image fusion aims to enhance the perception
of a scene by combining important information captured by
different sensors. Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet (DT-CWT) has been
thouroughly investigated for image fusion, since it takes advantages
of approximate shift invariance and direction selectivity. But it can
only handle limited direction information. To allow a more flexible
directional expansion for images, we propose a novel fusion scheme,
referred to as complex contourlet transform (CCT). It successfully
incorporates directional filter banks (DFB) into DT-CWT. As a result
it efficiently deal with images containing contours and textures,
whereas it retains the property of shift invariance. Experimental
results demonstrated that the method features high quality fusion
performance and can facilitate many image processing applications.
Abstract: In this paper a novel method for finding the fault zone
on a Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC) incorporated
transmission line is presented. The method makes use of the Support
Vector Machine (SVM), used in the classification mode to
distinguish between the zones, before or after the TCSC. The use of
Discrete Wavelet Transform is made to prepare the features which
would be given as the input to the SVM. This method was tested on a
400 kV, 50 Hz, 300 Km transmission line and the results were highly
accurate.