Abstract: In this paper we present an autoregressive model with
neural networks modeling and standard error backpropagation
algorithm training optimization in order to predict the gross domestic
product (GDP) growth rate of four countries. Specifically we propose
a kind of weighted regression, which can be used for econometric
purposes, where the initial inputs are multiplied by the neural
networks final optimum weights from input-hidden layer after the
training process. The forecasts are compared with those of the
ordinary autoregressive model and we conclude that the proposed
regression-s forecasting results outperform significant those of
autoregressive model in the out-of-sample period. The idea behind
this approach is to propose a parametric regression with weighted
variables in order to test for the statistical significance and the
magnitude of the estimated autoregressive coefficients and
simultaneously to estimate the forecasts.
Abstract: Recently, distributed generation technologies have received much attention for the potential energy savings and reliability assurances that might be achieved as a result of their widespread adoption. Fueling the attention have been the possibilities of international agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electricity sector restructuring, high power reliability requirements for certain activities, and concern about easing transmission and distribution capacity bottlenecks and congestion. So it is necessary that impact of these kinds of generators on distribution feeder reconfiguration would be investigated. This paper presents an approach for distribution reconfiguration considering Distributed Generators (DGs). The objective function is summation of electrical power losses A Tabu search optimization is used to solve the optimal operation problem. The approach is tested on a real distribution feeder.
Abstract: Partitions can play a significant role in minimising cochannel
interference of Wireless LANs by attenuating signals across
room boundaries. This could pave the way towards higher density
deployments in home and office environments through spatial
channel reuse. Yet, due to protocol limitations, the latest incantation
of IEEE 802.11 standard is still unable to take advantage of this fact:
Despite having clearly adequate Signal to Interference Ratio (SIR)
over co-channel neighbouring networks in other rooms, its goodput
falls significantly lower than its maximum in the absence of cochannel
interferers. In this paper, we describe how this situation can
be remedied via modest modifications to the standard.
Abstract: In many cases, there are some time lag between the consumption of inputs and the production of outputs. This time lag effect should be considered in evaluating the performance of organizations. Recently, a couple of DEA models were developed for considering time lag effect in efficiency evaluation of research activities. Multi-periods input(MpI) and Multi-periods output(MpO) models are integrate models to calculate simple efficiency considering time lag effect. However, these models can’t discriminate efficient DMUs because of the nature of basic DEA model in which efficiency scores are limited to ‘1’. That is, efficient DMUs can’t be discriminated because their efficiency scores are same. Thus, this paper suggests a super-efficiency model for efficiency evaluation under the consideration of time lag effect based on the MpO model. A case example using a long term research project is given to compare the suggested model with the MpO model.
Abstract: The fast growing accessibility and capability of emerging technologies have fashioned enormous possibilities of designing, developing and implementing innovative teaching methods in the classroom. The global technological scenario has paved the way to new pedagogies in teaching-learning process focusing on technology based learning environment and its impact on student achievement. The present experimental study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of technology based learning environment on student achievement in English as a foreign language. The sample of the study was 90 students of 10th grade of a public school located in Islamabad. A pretest- posttest equivalent group design was used to compare the achievement of the two groups. A Pretest and A posttest containing 50 items each from English textbook were developed and administered. The collected data were statistically analyzed. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of Experimental group and the Control group. The performance of Experimental group was better on posttest scores that indicted that teaching through technology based learning environment enhanced the achievement level of the students. On the basis of the results, it was recommended that teaching and learning through information and communication technologies may be adopted to enhance the language learning capability of the students.
Abstract: This research was aimed at determining the impact of conservation techniques including bench terrace, stone terrace, mulching, grass strip and intercropping on soil erosion at tobacco-based farming system at Progo Hulu subwatershed, Central Java, Indonesia. Research was conducted from September 2007 to September 2009, located at Progo Hulu subwatershed, Central Java, Indonesia. Research site divided into 27 land units, and experimental fields were grouped based on the soil type and slope, ie: 30%, 45% and 70%, with the following treatments: 1) ST0= stone terrace (control); 2) ST1= stone terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip on a 5 cm height dike at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha); 3) ST2= stone terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip on a 5 cm height dike at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 100% (14 ton/ ha); 4) ST3= stone terrace + tobacco and red bean intercropping + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha). 5) BT0= bench terrace (control); 6) BT1= bench terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha); 7) BT2= bench terrace + Setaria spacelata grass strip at terrace lips + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 100% (14 ton/ ha); 8) BT3= bench terrace + tobacco and red bean intercropping + tobacco stem mulch with dose of 50% (7 ton/ ha). The results showed that the actual erosion rates of research site were higher than that of tolerance erosion with mean value 89.08 ton/ha/year and 33.40 ton/ha/year, respectively. These resulted in 69% of total research site (5,119.15 ha) highly degraded. Conservation technique of ST2 was the most effective in suppressing soil erosion, by 42.87%, following with BT2 as much 30.63%. Others suppressed erosion only less than 21%.
Abstract: Study was conducted to determine the concentration of
copper, cadmium, lead and zinc in Cabomba furcata that found
abundance in Lake Chini. This aquatic plant was collected randomly
within the lake for heavy metal determination. Water quality
measurement was undertaken in situ for temperature, pH,
conductivity and dissolved oksigen using portable multi sensor probe
YSI model 556. The C. furcata was digested using wet digestion
method and heavy metal concentrations were analysed using Atomic
Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) Perkin Elmer 4100B (flame
method). Result of water quality classify Lake Chini between class II
to class III using Malaysian Water Quality Standard. According to
this standard, Lake Chini has moderate quality, which normal for
natural lake. Heavy metal concentrations in C.furcata were low and
found to be lower than the critical toxic value in aquatic plants. Oneway
ANOVA test indicated the heavy metal concentrations in
C.furcata were significantly differ between sampling location. Water
quality and heavy metal concentrations indicates that Lake Chini was
not receives anthropogenic load from nearby activities.
Abstract: In this paper, the application of multiple Elman neural networks to time series data regression problems is studied. An ensemble of Elman networks is formed by boosting to enhance the performance of the individual networks. A modified version of the AdaBoost algorithm is employed to integrate the predictions from multiple networks. Two benchmark time series data sets, i.e., the Sunspot and Box-Jenkins gas furnace problems, are used to assess the effectiveness of the proposed system. The simulation results reveal that an ensemble of boosted Elman networks can achieve a higher degree of generalization as well as performance than that of the individual networks. The results are compared with those from other learning systems, and implications of the performance are discussed.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to introduce a new
interface program to calculate a dose distribution with Monte Carlo method in complex heterogeneous systems such as organs or tissues
in proton therapy. This interface program was developed under
MATLAB software and includes a friendly graphical user interface
with several tools such as image properties adjustment or results display. Quadtree decomposition technique was used as an image
segmentation algorithm to create optimum geometries from Computed Tomography (CT) images for dose calculations of proton
beam. The result of the mentioned technique is a number of nonoverlapped
squares with different sizes in every image. By this way
the resolution of image segmentation is high enough in and near
heterogeneous areas to preserve the precision of dose calculations
and is low enough in homogeneous areas to reduce the number of
cells directly. Furthermore a cell reduction algorithm can be used to combine neighboring cells with the same material. The validation of this method has been done in two ways; first, in comparison with experimental data obtained with 80 MeV proton beam in Cyclotron
and Radioisotope Center (CYRIC) in Tohoku University and second, in comparison with data based on polybinary tissue calibration method, performed in CYRIC. These results are presented in this paper. This program can read the output file of Monte Carlo code while region of interest is selected manually, and give a plot of dose distribution of proton beam superimposed onto the CT images.
Abstract: Ranong province has the best kaolin, and it is the most
useful of all the clay types used in ceramic making. Until recently,
there has been only one community business making ceramics in
Ranong province. And this business could not build the mix of body
and glaze from their raw material without assistance. Considering
these problems, this research is aimed to test the composition of
ceramic body and glaze which suit. Kaolin from Ranong is the raw
material which these search focuses on. All other raw materials use in
the investigation will come from southern Thailand, kaolin and
limestone from Ranong province, ball clay from Surat Thani
province, white sand from Songkhla province, and feldspar from
Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Results can be used to develop the
efficiency of industrial production which in return will enhance the
business process.
Abstract: In this paper we present a new approach to deal with
image segmentation. The fact that a single segmentation result do not
generally allow a higher level process to take into account all the
elements included in the image has motivated the consideration of
image segmentation as a multiobjective optimization problem. The
proposed algorithm adopts a split/merge strategy that uses the result
of the k-means algorithm as input for a quantum evolutionary
algorithm to establish a set of non-dominated solutions. The
evaluation is made simultaneously according to two distinct features:
intra-region homogeneity and inter-region heterogeneity. The
experimentation of the new approach on natural images has proved
its efficiency and usefulness.
Abstract: Drilling is the most common machining operation and it forms the highest machining cost in many manufacturing activities including automotive engine production. The outcome of this operation depends upon many factors including utilization of proper cutting tool geometry, cutting tool material and the type of coating used to improve hardness and resistance to wear, and also cutting parameters. With the availability of a large array of tool geometries, materials and coatings, is has become a challenging task to select the best tool and cutting parameters that would result in the lowest machining cost or highest profit rate. This paper describes an algorithm developed to help achieve good performances in drilling operations by automatically determination of proper cutting tools and cutting parameters. It also helps determine machining sequences resulting in minimum tool changes that would eventually reduce machining time and cost where multiple tools are used.
Abstract: This paper describes an effective solution to the task
of a remote monitoring of super-extended objects (oil and gas
pipeline, railways, national frontier). The suggested solution is based
on the principle of simultaneously monitoring of seismoacoustic and
optical/infrared physical fields. The principle of simultaneous
monitoring of those fields is not new but in contrast to the known
solutions the suggested approach allows to control super-extended
objects with very limited operational costs. So-called C-OTDR
(Coherent Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) systems are used to
monitor the seismoacoustic field. Far-CCTV systems are used to
monitor the optical/infrared field. A simultaneous data processing
provided by both systems allows effectively detecting and classifying
target activities, which appear in the monitored objects vicinity. The
results of practical usage had shown high effectiveness of the
suggested approach.
Abstract: Cellular communication is being widely used by all
over the world. The users of handsets are increasing due to the
request from marketing sector. The important aspect that has to be
touch in this paper is about the security system of cellular
communication. It is important to provide users with a secure channel
for communication. A brief description of the new GSM cellular
network architecture will be provided. Limitations of cellular
networks, their security issues and the different types of attacks will
be discussed. The paper will go over some new security mechanisms
that have been proposed by researchers. Overall, this paper clarifies
the security system or services of cellular communication using
GSM. Three Malaysian Communication Companies were taken as
Case study in this paper.
Abstract: The algorithms of convex hull have been extensively studied in literature, principally because of their wide range of applications in different areas. This article presents an efficient algorithm to construct approximate convex hull from a set of n points in the plane in O(n + k) time, where k is the approximation error control parameter. The proposed algorithm is suitable for applications preferred to reduce the computation time in exchange of accuracy level such as animation and interaction in computer graphics where rapid and real-time graphics rendering is indispensable.
Abstract: We seek exact solutions of the coupled Klein-Gordon-Schrödinger equation with variable coefficients with the aid of Lie classical approach. By using the Lie classical method, we are able to derive symmetries that are used for reducing the coupled system of partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations. From reduced differential equations we have derived some new exact solutions of coupled Klein-Gordon-Schrödinger equations involving some special functions such as Airy wave functions, Bessel functions, Mathieu functions etc.
Abstract: Artificial atoms are growing fields of interest due to their physical and optoelectronicapplications. The absorption spectra of the proposed artificial atom inpresence of Tera-Hertz field is investigated theoretically. We use the non-perturbativeFloquet theory and finite difference method to study the electronic structure of ArtificialAtom. The effect of static electric field on the energy levels of artificial atom is studied.The effect of orientation of static electric field on energy levels and diploe matrix elementsis also highlighted.
Abstract: Attitude Determination (AD) of a spacecraft using the
phase measurements of the Global Navigation Satellite System
(GNSS) is an active area of research. Various attitude determination
algorithms have been developed in yester years for spacecrafts using
different sensors but the last two decades have witnessed a
phenomenal increase in research related with GPS receivers as a
stand-alone sensor for determining the attitude of satellite using the
phase measurements of the signals from GNSS. The GNSS-based
Attitude determination algorithms have been experimented in many
real missions. The problem of AD algorithms using GNSS phase
measurements has two important parts; the ambiguity resolution and
the determining of attitude. Ambiguity resolution is the widely
addressed topic in literature for implementing the AD algorithm
using GNSS phase measurements for achieving the accuracy of
millimeter level. This paper broadly overviews the different
techniques for resolving the integer ambiguities encountered in AD
using GNSS phase measurements.
Abstract: System testing is actually done to the entire system
against the Functional Requirement Specification and/or the System
Requirement Specification. Moreover, it is an investigatory testing
phase, where the focus is to have almost a destructive attitude and
test not only the design, but also the behavior and even the believed
expectations of the customer. It is also intended to test up to and
beyond the bounds defined in the software/hardware requirements
specifications. In Motorola®, Automated Testing is one of the testing
methodologies uses by GSG-iSGT (Global Software Group - iDEN
TM
Subcriber Group-Test) to increase the testing volume, productivity
and reduce test cycle-time in iDEN
TM
phones testing. Testing is able
to produce more robust products before release to the market. In this
paper, iHopper is proposed as a tool to perform stress test on iDEN
TM
phonse. We will discuss the value that automation has brought to
iDEN
TM
Phone testing such as improving software quality in the
iDEN
TM
phone together with some metrics. We will also look into
the advantages of the proposed system and some discussion of the
future work as well.
Abstract: The quality of Ribbed Smoked Sheets
(RSS) primarily based on color, dryness, and the presence or
absence of fungus and bubbles. This quality is strongly
influenced by the drying and fumigation process namely
smoking process. Smoking that is held in high temperature
long time will result scorched dark brown sheets, whereas if
the temperature is too low or slow drying rate would resulted
in less mature sheets and growth of fungus. Therefore need to
find the time and temperature for optimum quality of sheets.
Enhance, unmonitored heat and mass transfer during smoking
process lead to high losses of energy balance. This research
aims to generate simple empirical mathematical model
describing the effect of smoking time and temperature to RSS
quality of color, water content, fungus and bubbles. The
second goal of study was to analyze energy balance during
smoking process. Experimental study was conducted by
measuring temperature, residence time and quality parameters
of 16 sheets sample in smoking rooms. Data for energy
consumption balance such as mass of fuel wood, mass of
sheets being smoked, construction temperature, ambient
temperature and relative humidity were taken directly along
the smoking process. It was found that mathematical model
correlating smoking temperature and time with color is Color
= -169 - 0.184 T4 - 0.193 T3 - 0.160 0.405 T1 + T2 + 0.388 t1
+3.11 t2 + 3.92t3 + 0.215 t4 with R square 50.8% and with
moisture is Moisture = -1.40-0.00123 T4 + 0.00032 T3 +
0.00260 T2 - 0.00292 T1 - 0.0105 t1 + 0.0290 t2 + 0.0452 t3
+ 0.00061 t4 with R square of 49.9%. Smoking room energy
analysis found useful energy was 27.8%. The energy stored in
the material construction 7.3%. Lost of energy in conversion
of wood combustion, ventilation and others were 16.6%. The
energy flowed out through the contact of material construction
with the ambient air was found to be the highest contribution
to energy losses, it reached 48.3%.