Abstract: Due to the increasing efforts on saving our natural
environment a change in the structure of energy resources can be
observed - an increasing fraction of a renewable energy sources.
In many countries traditional underground coal mining loses its
significance but there are still countries, like Poland or Germany, in
which the coal based technologies have the greatest fraction in a total
energy production. This necessitates to make an effort to limit the
costs and negative effects of underground coal mining. The longwall
complex is as essential part of the underground coal mining. The
safety and the effectiveness of the work is strongly dependent of the
diagnostic state of powered roof supports.
The building of a useful and reliable diagnostic system requires
a lot of data. As the acquisition of a data of any possible operating
conditions it is important to have a possibility to generate a demanded
artificial working characteristics. In this paper a new approach of
modelling a leg pressure in the single unit of powered roof support.
The model is a result of the analysis of a typical working cycles.
Abstract: In this work, we explore the capability of the mean
shift algorithm as a powerful preprocessing tool for improving the
quality of spatial data, acquired from airborne scanners, from densely
built urban areas. On one hand, high resolution image data corrupted
by noise caused by lossy compression techniques are appropriately
smoothed while at the same time preserving the optical edges and, on
the other, low resolution LiDAR data in the form of normalized
Digital Surface Map (nDSM) is upsampled through the joint mean
shift algorithm. Experiments on both the edge-preserving smoothing
and upsampling capabilities using synthetic RGB-z data show that the
mean shift algorithm is superior to bilateral filtering as well as to
other classical smoothing and upsampling algorithms. Application of
the proposed methodology for 3D reconstruction of buildings of a
pilot region of Athens, Greece results in a significant visual
improvement of the 3D building block model.
Abstract: The relationship between the state and the religion is
different based on the fact that how powerful is the religion faith in a
state and of the influences that affected the views of the constitution
drafters according to the constitutional system they were based to
draft their constitution. This paper aims at providing, through a
comparative methodology, how it is regulated by the constitution the
relationship between the state and the religion. The object of this
study are the constitutions of Italy as a nation with catholic religious
tradition, Greece as a nation with orthodox religion tradition, and
Turkey as a nation which represents Muslim religion, while Albania
as a nation known for its religious plurality. In particular, the analysis
will be focused on the secular or religious principle provided in the
constitution of each respective state. This comparative overview
intends to discern which of the states analyzed is more tolerant and
fully respects the freedom of religion. It results that most of the states
subject of this study, despite their religious tradition have chosen the
secular principle in their constitutions, but the religious freedom is
differently guaranteed.
Abstract: In this study, we proposed two techniques to track the
maximum power point (MPPT) of a photovoltaic system. The first is
an intelligent control technique, and the second is robust used for
variable structure system. In fact the characteristics I-V and P–V of
the photovoltaic generator depends on the solar irradiance and
temperature. These climate changes cause the fluctuation of
maximum power point; a maximum power point tracking technique
(MPPT) is required to maximize the output power. For this we have
adopted a control by fuzzy logic (FLC) famous for its stability and
robustness. And a Siding Mode Control (SMC) widely used for
variable structure system. The system comprises a photovoltaic panel
(PV), a DC-DC converter, which is considered as an adaptation stage
between the PV and the load. The modelling and simulation of the
system is developed using MATLAB/Simulink. SMC technique
provides a good tracking speed in fast changing irradiation and when
the irradiation changes slowly or it is constant the panel power of
FLC technique presents a much smoother signal with less
fluctuations.
Abstract: This paper adopts a two-stage data envelopment
analysis to explore the impacts of financial development and bank
operating scale on bank efficiencies. The sample comprises
unbalanced panel data of 32 Taiwanese listed domestic commercial
banks over the period 1998 to 2013. Empirical results show that pure
technical efficiency is positively related to financial development,
whereas the effect of financial development on scale efficiency is
insignificant. Enlargement of bank operating scale improves bank
efficiencies, but the efficiency gains are decreased gradually when the
scale increases. Increases in capital adequacy ratio and market power
of loans lead into a growth of bank efficiencies.
Abstract: One of the key aspects of power quality improvement
in power system is the mitigation of voltage sags/swells and flicker.
Custom power devices have been known as the best tools for voltage
disturbances mitigation as well as reactive power compensation.
Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) which is the most efficient and
effective modern custom power device can provide the most
commercial solution to solve several problems of power quality in
distribution networks. This paper deals with analysis and simulation
technique of DVR based on instantaneous power theory which is a
quick control to detect signals. The main purpose of this work is to
remove three important disturbances including voltage sags/swells
and flicker. Simulation of the proposed method was carried out on
two sample systems by using Matlab software environment and the
results of simulation show that the proposed method is able to
provide desirable power quality in the presence of wide range of
disturbances.
Abstract: Rehabilitation of dam components such as foundations, buttresses, spillways and overtopping protection require a wide range of construction and design methodologies. Geotechnical Engineering considerations play an important role in the design and construction of foundations of new dams. Much investigation is required to assess and evaluate the existing dams. The application of roller compacting concrete (RCC) has been accepted as a new method for constructing new dams or rehabilitating old ones. In the past 40 years there have been so many changes in the usage of RCC and now it is one of most satisfactory solutions of water and hydropower resource throughout the world. The considerations of rehabilitation and construction of dams might differ due to upstream reservoir and its influence on penetrating and dewatering of downstream, operations requirements and plant layout. One of the advantages of RCC is its rapid placement which allows the dam to be operated quickly. Unlike ordinary concrete it is a drier mix, and stiffs enough for compacting by vibratory rollers. This paper evaluates some different aspects of RCC and focuses on its preparation progress.
Abstract: We have designed wavelength conversion based on
four wave mixing in an optical fiber at 10 Gb/s. The power of
converted signal increases with increase in signal power. The
converted signal power is investigated as a function of input signal
power and pump power. On comparison of converted signal power at
different value of input signal power, we observe that best converted
signal power is obtained at -2 dBm input signal power for both up
conversion as well as for down conversion. Further, FWM efficiency,
quality factor is observed for increase in input signal power and
optical fiber length.
Abstract: This study attempts to identify the factors influencing
on women empowerment of rural area in Sri Lanka through micro
finance services. Data were collected from one hundred (100) rural
women involving self-employment activities through a questionnaire
using direct personal interviews. Judgment and Convenience Random
sampling technique was used to select the sample size from three
Divisional Secretariat divisions of Kandawalai, Poonakari and
Karachchi in Kilinochchi District. The factor analysis was performed
on fourteen (14) variables for screening and reducing the variables to
identify the influencing factors on empowerment. Multiple regression
analysis was used to identify the relationship between the three
empowerment factors and the impact of micro finance on overall
empowerment of rural women. The result of this study summarized
the variables into three factors namely decision making, freedom to
mobility and family support and which are positively associated with
empowerment. In addition to this the value of adjusted R2 is 0.248
indicates that all the variables extracted can be explained 24.8% of
the variation in the women empowerment through microfinance.
Independent variables of these three factors have positive correlation
with women empowerment as well as significant values at 5 percent
level.
Abstract: The following article presents Technology Centre of
Ostrava (TCO) in the Czech Republic describing the structure and
main research areas realized by the project ENET - Energy Units for
Utilization of non Traditional Energy Sources. More details are
presented from the research program dealing with transformation,
accumulation and distribution of electric energy. Technology Centre
has its own energy mix consisting of alternative sources of fuel
sources that use of process gases from the storage part and also the
energy from distribution network. The article will be focus on the
properties and application possibilities SiC semiconductor devices for
power semiconductor converter for photovoltaic systems.
Abstract: Behavioral aspects of experience such as will power
are rarely subjected to quantitative study owing to the numerous
complexities involved. Will is a phenomenon that has puzzled
humanity for a long time. It is a belief that will power of an individual
affects the success achieved by them in life. It is also thought that a
person endowed with great will power can overcome even the most
crippling setbacks in life while a person with a weak will cannot make
the most of life even the greatest assets. This study is an attempt
to subject the phenomena of will to the test of an artificial neural
network through a computational model. The claim being tested is
that will power of an individual largely determines success achieved
in life. It is proposed that data pertaining to success of individuals
be obtained from an experiment and the phenomenon of will be
incorporated into the model, through data generated recursively using
a relation between will and success characteristic to the model.
An artificial neural network trained using part of the data, could
subsequently be used to make predictions regarding data points in
the rest of the model. The procedure would be tried for different
models and the model where the networks predictions are found to
be in greatest agreement with the data would be selected; and used
for studying the relation between success and will.
Abstract: This paper proposes techniques like MT CMOS,
POWER GATING, DUAL STACK, GALEOR and LECTOR to
reduce the leakage power. A Full Adder has been designed using
these techniques and power dissipation is calculated and is compared
with general CMOS logic of Full Adder.
Simulation results show the validity of the proposed techniques is
effective to save power dissipation and to increase the speed of
operation of the circuits to a large extent.
Abstract: This paper is part of a study to develop robots for
farming. As such power requirement to operate equipment attach to
such robots become an important factor. Soil-tool interaction plays
major role in power consumption, thus predicting accurately the
forces which act on the blade during the farming is very important for
optimal designing of farm equipment. In this paper, a finite element
investigation for tillage tools and soil interaction is described by
using an inelastic constitutive material law for agriculture
application. A 3-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element analysis
(FEA) is developed to examine behavior of a blade with different
rake angles moving in a block of soil, and to estimate the blade force.
The soil model considered is an elastic-plastic with non-associated
Drucker-Prager material model. Special use of contact elements are
employed to consider connection between soil-blade and soil-soil
surfaces. The FEA results are compared with experimental ones,
which show good agreement in accurately predicting draft forces
developed on the blade when it moves through the soil. Also a very
good correlation was obtained between FEA results and analytical
results from classical soil mechanics theories for straight blades.
These comparisons verified the FEA model developed. For analyzing
complicated soil-tool interactions and for optimum design of blades,
this method will be useful.
Abstract: Proposed paper dealt with the modelling and analysis of induction motor based on the mathematical expression using the graphical programming environment of Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW). Induction motor modelling with the mathematical expression enables the motor to be simulated with the various required parameters. Owing to the invention of variable speed drives study about the induction motor characteristics became complex. In this simulation motor internal parameter such as stator resistance and reactance, rotor resistance and reactance, phase voltage, frequency and losses will be given as input. By varying the speed of motor corresponding parameters can be obtained they are input power, output power, efficiency, torque induced, slip and current.
Abstract: Turkish migrants constitute the largest group among
people with migration background living in Germany. Turkish
women’s labor market participation is of significant importance for
their social and economic integration to the German society. This
paper thus aims to investigate their labor market positions. Turkish
migrant women participate less in the labor market compared to men,
and are responsible for most of the housework, child care, and elderly
care. This is due to their traditional roles in the family, educational
level, insufficient knowledge of German language, and insufficient
professional experience. We strongly recommend that wide-reaching
integration policies for women are formulated, so as to encourage
participation of not only migrant women but also their husbands,
fathers and/or brothers, and natives.
Abstract: We proposed a Hyperbolic Gompertz Growth Model
(HGGM), which was developed by introducing a shape parameter
(allometric). This was achieved by convoluting hyperbolic sine
function on the intrinsic rate of growth in the classical gompertz
growth equation. The resulting integral solution obtained
deterministically was reprogrammed into a statistical model and used
in modeling the height and diameter of Pines (Pinus caribaea). Its
ability in model prediction was compared with the classical gompertz
growth model, an approach which mimicked the natural variability of
height/diameter increment with respect to age and therefore provides
a more realistic height/diameter predictions using goodness of fit
tests and model selection criteria. The Kolmogorov Smirnov test and
Shapiro-Wilk test was also used to test the compliance of the error
term to normality assumptions while the independence of the error
term was confirmed using the runs test. The mean function of top
height/Dbh over age using the two models under study predicted
closely the observed values of top height/Dbh in the hyperbolic
gompertz growth models better than the source model (classical
gompertz growth model) while the results of R2, Adj. R2, MSE and
AIC confirmed the predictive power of the Hyperbolic Gompertz
growth models over its source model.
Abstract: PhilSHORE is a multi-site, multi-device and multicriteria
decision support tool designed to support the development of
tidal current energy in the Philippines. Its platform is based on
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) which allows for the
collection, storage, processing, analyses and display of geospatial
data. Combining GIS tools with open source web development
applications, PhilSHORE becomes a webGIS-based marine spatial
planning tool. To date, PhilSHORE displays output maps and graphs
of power and energy density, site suitability and site-device analysis.
It enables stakeholders and the public easy access to the results of
tidal current energy resource assessments and site suitability
analyses. Results of the initial development show that PhilSHORE is
a promising decision support tool for ORE project developments.
Abstract: Coal is an important non-renewable energy source of
and can be associated with radioactive elements. In Figueira city,
Paraná state, Brazil, it was recorded high uranium activity near the
coal mine that supplies a local thermoelectric power plant. In this
context, the radon activity (Rn-222, produced by the Ra-226 decay in
the U-238 natural series) was evaluated in groundwater, river water
and effluents produced from the acid mine drainage in the coal reject
dumps. The samples were collected in August 2013 and in February
2014 and analyzed at LABIDRO (Laboratory of Isotope and
Hydrochemistry), UNESP, Rio Claro city, Brazil, using an alpha
spectrometer (AlphaGuard) adjusted to evaluate the mean radon
activity concentration in five cycles of 10 minutes. No radon activity
concentration above 100 Bq.L-1, which was a previous critic value
established by the World Health Organization. The average radon
activity concentration in groundwater was higher than in surface
water and in effluent samples, possibly due to the accumulation of
uranium and radium in the aquifer layers that favors the radon
trapping. The lower value in the river waters can indicate dilution and
the intermediate value in the effluents may indicate radon absorption
in the coal particles of the reject dumps. The results also indicate that
the radon activities in the effluents increase with the sample
acidification, possibly due to the higher radium leaching and the
subsequent radon transport to the drainage flow. The water samples
of Laranjinha River and Ribeirão das Pedras stream, which,
respectively, supply Figueira city and receive the mining effluent,
exhibited higher pH values upstream the mine, reflecting the acid
mine drainage discharge. The radionuclides transport indicates the
importance of monitoring their activity concentration in natural
waters due to the risks that the radioactivity can represent to human
health.
Abstract: The efficiency of the actuation system of exoskeletons
and active orthoses for lower limbs is a significant aspect of the
design of such devices because it affects their efficacy. The F-IVT is
an innovative actuation system to power artificial knee joint with
energy recovery capabilities. Its key and non-conventional elements
are a flywheel that acts as a mechanical energy storage system, and
an Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT). The design of the F-IVT
can be optimized for a certain walking condition, resulting in a heavy
reduction of both the electric energy consumption and of the electric
peak power. In this work, by means of simulations of level ground
walking at different speeds, it is demonstrated that the F-IVT is still
an advantageous actuator which permits to save energy consumption
and to downsize the electric motor even when it does not work in
nominal conditions.
Abstract: Transmission system performance analysis is vital to
proper planning and operations of power systems in the presence of
deregulation. Key performance indicators (KPIs) are often used as
measure of degree of performance. This paper gives a novel method
to determine the transmission efficiency by evaluating the ratio of
real power losses incurred from a specified transfer direction.
Available Transmission Transfer Efficiency (ATTE) expresses the
percentage of real power received resulting from inter-area available
power transfer. The Tie line (Rated system path) performance is seen
to differ from system wide (Network response) performance and
ATTE values obtained are transfer direction specific. The required
sending end quantities with specified receiving end ATC and the
receiving end power circle diagram are obtained for the tie line
analysis. The amount of real power loss load relative to the available
transfer capability gives a measure of the transmission grid
efficiency.