Abstract: The aim of this paper is to discuss a low-cost methodology that can predict traffic flow conflicts and quantitatively rank crash expectancies (based on relative probability) for various traffic facilities. This paper focuses on the application of statistical distributions to model traffic flow and Monte Carlo techniques to simulate traffic and discusses how to create a tool in order to predict the possibility of a traffic crash. A low-cost data collection methodology has been discussed for the heterogeneous traffic flow that exists and a GIS platform has been proposed to thematically represent traffic flow from simulations and the probability of a crash. Furthermore, discussions have been made to reflect the dynamism of the model in reference to its adaptability, adequacy, economy, and efficiency to ensure adoption.
Abstract: In this paper we intend to ascertain the state of the art on multifingered end-effectors, also known as robotic hands or dexterous robot hands, and propose an experimental setup for an innovative task based design approach, involving cutting edge technologies in motion capture. After an initial description of the capabilities and complexity of a human hand when grasping objects, in order to point out the importance of replicating it, we analyze the mechanical and kinematical structure of some important works carried out all around the world in the last three decades and also review the actuators and sensing technologies used. Finally we describe a new design philosophy proposing an experimental setup for the first stage using recent developments in human body motion capture systems that might lead to lighter and always more dexterous robotic hands.
Abstract: One part of the total employee-s reward is apart from basic wages or salary, employee-s benefits and intangible elements also so called contingent (variable) pay. Contingent pay is connected to performance, contribution, capcompetency or skills of individual employees, and to team-s or company-wide performance or to combination of few of the mentioned possibilities. Main aim of this article is to define, based on available information, contingent pay, describe reasons for its implementation and arguments for and against this type of remuneration, but also bring information not only about its extent and level of utilization by organizations of the Czech Republic operating in the field of environmental protection, but also mention their practical experience with this type of remuneration.
Abstract: The accuracy of estimated stability and control
derivatives of a light aircraft from flight test data were evaluated. The light aircraft, named ChangGong-91, is the first certified aircraft from
the Korean government. The output error method, which is a maximum likelihood estimation technique and considers measurement
noise only, was used to analyze the aircraft responses measures. The
multi-step control inputs were applied in order to excite the short period mode for the longitudinal and Dutch-roll mode for the lateral-directional motion. The estimated stability/control derivatives of Chan Gong-91 were analyzed for the assessment of handling
qualities comparing them with those of similar aircraft. The accuracy of the flight derivative estimates derived from flight test measurement
was examined in engineering judgment, scatter and Cramer-Rao bound, which turned out to be satisfactory with minor defects..
Abstract: The question of interethnic and interreligious conflicts
in ex-Yugoslavia receives much attention within the framework of
the international context created after 1991 because of the impact of
these conflicts on the security and the stability of the region of
Balkans and of Europe.
This paper focuses on the rationales leading to the declaration of
independence by Kosovo according to ethnic and religious criteria
and analyzes why these same rationales were not applied in Bosnia
and Herzegovina. The approach undertaken aims at comparatively
examining the cases of Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the
same time, it aims at understanding the political decision making of
the international community in the case of Kosovo. Specifically, was
this a good political decision for the security and the stability of the
region of Balkans, of Europe, or even for global security and
stability?
This research starts with an overview on the European security
framework post 1991, paying particular attention to Kosovo and
Bosnia and Herzegovina. It then presents the theoretical and
methodological framework and compares the representative cases.
Using the constructivism issue and the comparative methodology, it
arrives at the results of the study. An important issue of the paper is
the thesis that this event modifies the principles of international law
and creates dangerous precedents for regional stability in the
Balkans.
Abstract: Recently, the design is becoming important in product development. The technology which is a strong point of Japan is immediately caught up by the foreign countries, and the price competition begins. Therefore companies tend to plan differentiation of products by the design or a color. The purpose of my work was to consider the optimal color for using by product development. We needed to clarify the thing leading to color preference for this purpose. Two kinds of investigations were made. By the first investigation, we found out that a geographical factor difference existed in color preference. Then, investigation which regarded the difference as latitude was conducted. However, the result expected from the difference in latitude was not obtained. It seems that it is necessary to set up difference of latitude a little more greatly, or to reexamine by other geographical factors.
Abstract: In this paper, some common gearboxes vibration analysis methods and condition monitoring systems are explained. In addition, an experimental gearbox vibration analysis is discussed through a critical case history for a mixer gearbox related to Iran oil industry. The case history also consists of gear manufacturing (machining) recommendations, lubrication condition of gearbox and machinery maintenance activities that caused reduction in noise and vibration of the gearbox. Besides some of the recent patents and innovations in gearboxes, lubrication and vibration monitoring systems explained. Finally micro pitting and surface fatigue in pinion and bevel of mentioned horizontal to vertical gearbox discussed in details.
Abstract: Expression and secretion of inflammation markers are
disturbed in obesity. Interleukin-6 reduces body fat mass. The
common G-174C polymorphism in the promoter of IL-6 gene has
been reported that effects on transcriptional regulation. The objective
was to investigate association of the common polymorphism G-174C
with obesity in Iranian population. The present study is cross
sectional association study that included 242 individuals (110 men
and 132 women). Serum IL-6 levels, C-reactive protein, fasting
blood glucose and blood lipids profile were measured .BMI and
WHR were calculated. Genotyping is carried out by PCR and RFLP.
The frequencies of G and C allele were 64.5% and 35.5%,
respectively. The G-174C polymorphism was not associated with
BMI and WHR. However in obese individual, fasting blood glucose
was significantly higher in carrier of C allele compared with the noncarrier.
The IL-6 G-174C polymorphism is not a risk factor for
obesity in Iranian population.
Abstract: The objective of this work which is based on the
approach of simultaneous engineering is to contribute to the
development of a CIM tool for the synthesis of functional design
dimensions expressed by average values and tolerance intervals. In
this paper, the dispersions method known as the Δl method which
proved reliable in the simulation of manufacturing dimensions is
used to develop a methodology for the automation of the simulation.
This methodology is constructed around three procedures. The first
procedure executes the verification of the functional requirements by
automatically extracting the functional dimension chains in the
mechanical sub-assembly. Then a second procedure performs an
optimization of the dispersions on the basis of unknown variables.
The third procedure uses the optimized values of the dispersions to
compute the optimized average values and tolerances of the
functional dimensions in the chains. A statistical and cost based
approach is integrated in the methodology in order to take account of
the capabilities of the manufacturing processes and to distribute
optimal values among the individual components of the chains.
Abstract: The increasing popularity of wireless technologies
and mobile computing devices has enabled new application areas and
research. One of these new areas is pervasive systems in urban
environments, because urban environments are characterized by high
concentration of these technologies and devices. In this paper we will
show the process of pervasive system design in urban environments,
using as use case a local zoo in Cali, Colombia. Based on an
ethnographic studio, we present the design of a pervasive system for
urban computing based on service oriented architecture to controlled
environment of Cali Zoo. In this paper, the reader will find a
methodological approach for the design of similar systems, using
data collection methods, conceptual frameworks for urban
environments and considerations of analysis and design of service
oriented systems.
Abstract: The effect of the blade tip geometry of a high pressure
gas turbine is studied experimentally and computationally for high
speed leakage flows. For this purpose two simplified models are
constructed, one models a flat tip of the blade and the second models
a cavity tip of the blade. Experimental results are obtained from a
transonic wind tunnel to show the static pressure distribution along
the tip wall and provide flow visualization. RANS computations
were carried to provide further insight into the mean flow behavior
and to calculate the discharge coefficient which is a measure of the
flow leaking over the tip. It is shown that in both geometries of tip
the flow separates over the tip to form a separation bubble. The
bubble is higher for the cavity tip while a complete shock wave
system of oblique waves ending with a normal wave can be seen for
the flat tip. The discharge coefficient for the flat tip shows less
dependence on the pressure ratio over the blade tip than the cavity
tip. However, the discharge coefficient for the cavity tip is lower than
that of the flat tip, showing a better ability to reduce the leakage flow
and thus increase the turbine efficiency.
Abstract: A number of competing methodologies have been developed
to identify genes and classify DNA sequences into coding
and non-coding sequences. This classification process is fundamental
in gene finding and gene annotation tools and is one of the most
challenging tasks in bioinformatics and computational biology. An
information theory measure based on mutual information has shown
good accuracy in classifying DNA sequences into coding and noncoding.
In this paper we describe a species independent iterative
approach that distinguishes coding from non-coding sequences using
the mutual information measure (MIM). A set of sixty prokaryotes is
used to extract universal training data. To facilitate comparisons with
the published results of other researchers, a test set of 51 bacterial
and archaeal genomes was used to evaluate MIM. These results
demonstrate that MIM produces superior results while remaining
species independent.
Abstract: Atmospheric stability plays the most important role in
the transport and dispersion of air pollutants. Different methods are
used for stability determination with varying degrees of complexity.
Most of these methods are based on the relative magnitude of
convective and mechanical turbulence in atmospheric motions.
Richardson number, Monin-Obukhov length, Pasquill-Gifford
stability classification and Pasquill–Turner stability classification, are
the most common parameters and methods. The Pasquill–Turner
Method (PTM), which is employed in this study, makes use of
observations of wind speed, insolation and the time of day to classify
atmospheric stability with distinguishable indices. In this study, a
model is presented to determination of atmospheric stability
conditions using PTM. As a case study, meteorological data of
Mehrabad station in Tehran from 2000 to 2005 is applied to model.
Here, three different categories are considered to deduce the pattern
of stability conditions. First, the total pattern of stability classification
is obtained and results show that atmosphere is 38.77%, 27.26%,
33.97%, at stable, neutral and unstable condition, respectively. It is
also observed that days are mostly unstable (66.50%) while nights are
mostly stable (72.55%). Second, monthly and seasonal patterns are
derived and results indicate that relative frequency of stable
conditions decrease during January to June and increase during June
to December, while results for unstable conditions are exactly in
opposite manner. Autumn is the most stable season with relative
frequency of 50.69% for stable condition, whilst, it is 42.79%,
34.38% and 27.08% for winter, summer and spring, respectively.
Hourly stability pattern is the third category that points out that
unstable condition is dominant from approximately 03-15 GTM and
04-12 GTM for warm and cold seasons, respectively. Finally,
correlation between atmospheric stability and CO concentration is
achieved.
Abstract: This experiment discusses the effects of fracture
parameters such as depth, length, width, angle and the number of the
fracture to the conductance properties of laterite using the DUK-2B
digital electrical measurement system combined with the method of
simulating the fractures. The results of experiment show that the
changes of fracture parameters produce effects to the conductance
properties of laterite. There is a clear degressive period of the
conductivity of laterite during increasing the depth, length, width, or
the angle and the quantity of fracture gradually. When the depth of
fracture exceeds the half thickness of the soil body, the conductivity of
laterite shows evidently non-linear diminishing pattern and the
amplitude of decrease tends to increase. The length of fracture has
fewer effects than the depth to the conductivity. When the width of
fracture reaches some fixed values, the change of the conductivity is
less sensitive to the change of the width, and at this time, the
conductivity of laterite maintains at a stable level. When the angle of
fracture is less than 45°, the decrease of the conductivity is more
clearly as the angle increases. But when angle is more than 45°,
change of the conductivity is relatively gentle as the angle increases.
The increasing quantity of the fracture causes the other fracture
parameters having great impact on the change of conductivity. When
moisture content and temperature were unchanged, depth and angle of
fractures are the major factors affecting the conductivity of laterite
soil; quantity, length, and width are minor influencing factors. The
sensitivity of fracture parameters affect conductivity of laterite soil is:
depth >angles >quantity >length >width.
Abstract: Tourism industries are rapidly increased for the last
few years especially in Malaysia. In order to attract more tourists,
Malaysian Governance encourages any effort to increase Malaysian
tourism industry. One of the efforts in attracting more tourists in
Malacca, Malaysia is a duck tour. Duck tour is an amphibious
sightseeing tour that works in two types of engines, hence, it required
a huge cost to operate and maintain the vehicle. To other country, it is
not so new but in Malaysia, it is just introduced, thus it does not have
any systematic routing yet. Therefore, this paper proposed an
optimization technique to formulate and schedule this tour to
minimize the operating costs by considering it into Travelling
Salesman Problem (TSP). The problem is then can be solved by one
of the optimization technique especially meta-heuristics approach
such as Tabu Search (TS) and Reactive Tabu Search (RTS).
Abstract: The present study investigated the relationship
between personality characteristics of drivers and the number and
amount of fines they have in a year .This study was carried out on
120 male taxi drivers that worked at least seven hours in a day in
Lamerd - a city in the south of IRAN. Subjects were chosen
voluntarily among those available. Predictive variables were the NEO
–five great personality factors (1. conscientiousness 2. Openness to
Experience 3.Neuroticism4 .Extraversion 5.Agreeableness )
thecriterion variables were the number and amount of fines the
drivers have had the last three years. the result of regression analysis
showed that conscientiousness factor was able to negatively predict
the number and amount of financial fines the drivers had during the
last three years. The openness factor positively predicted the number
of fines they had in last 3 years and the amount of financial fines
during the last year. The extraversion factor both meaningfully and
positively could predict only the amount of financial fines they had
during the last year. Increasing age was associated with decreasing
driving offenses as well as financial loss.The findings can be useful
in recognizing the high-risk drivers and leading them to counseling
centers .They can also be used to inform the drivers about their
personality and it’s relation with their accident rate. Such criteria
would be of great importance in employing drivers in different places
such as companies, offices etc…
Abstract: With the approaching of digital era, various interactive
service platforms and systems support human beings- needs in lives by
different contents and measures. Design strategies have gradually
turned from function-based to user-oriented, and are often customized.
In other words, how designers include users- value reaction in creation
becomes the goal. Creative design service of interior design requires
positive interaction and communication to allow users to obtain full
design information, recognize the style and process of personal needs,
develop creative service design, lower communication time and cost
and satisfy users- sense of achievement. Thus, by constructing a
co-design method, based on the communication between interior
designers and users, this study recognizes users- real needs and
provides the measure of co-design for designers and users.
Abstract: Selecting the data modeling technique for an
information system is determined by the objective of the resultant
data model. Dimensional modeling is the preferred modeling
technique for data destined for data warehouses and data mining,
presenting data models that ease analysis and queries which are in
contrast with entity relationship modeling. The establishment of data
warehouses as components of information system landscapes in
many organizations has subsequently led to the development of
dimensional modeling. This has been significantly more developed
and reported for the commercial database management systems as
compared to the open sources thereby making it less affordable for
those in resource constrained settings. This paper presents
dimensional modeling of HIV patient information using open source
modeling tools. It aims to take advantage of the fact that the most
affected regions by the HIV virus are also heavily resource
constrained (sub-Saharan Africa) whereas having large quantities of
HIV data. Two HIV data source systems were studied to identify
appropriate dimensions and facts these were then modeled using two
open source dimensional modeling tools. Use of open source would
reduce the software costs for dimensional modeling and in turn make
data warehousing and data mining more feasible even for those in
resource constrained settings but with data available.
Abstract: Importance of environmental efficiency of electric power industry stems from high demand for energy combined with global warming concerns. It is especially essential for the world largest economies like that of the United States. The paper introduces a Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model of environmental efficiency using indicators of fossil fuels utilization, emissions rate, and electric power losses. Using DEA is advantageous in this situation over other approaches due to its nonparametric nature. The paper analyzes data for the period of 1990 - 2006 by comparing actual yearly levels in each dimension with the best values of partial indicators for the period. As positive factors of efficiency, tendency to the decline in emissions rates starting 2000, and in electric power losses starting 2004 may be mentioned together with increasing trend of fuel utilization starting 1999. As a result, dynamics of environmental efficiency is positive starting 2002. The main concern is the decline in fossil fuels utilization in 2006. This negative change should be reversed to comply with ecological and economic requirements.
Abstract: The mobile systems are powered by batteries.
Reducing the system power consumption is a key to increase its
autonomy. It is known that mostly the systems are dealing with time
varying signals. Thus, we aim to achieve power efficiency by smartly
adapting the system processing activity in accordance with the input
signal local characteristics. It is done by completely rethinking the
processing chain, by adopting signal driven sampling and processing.
In this context, a signal driven filtering technique, based on the level
crossing sampling is devised. It adapts the sampling frequency and
the filter order by analysing the input signal local variations. Thus, it
correlates the processing activity with the signal variations. It leads
towards a drastic computational gain of the proposed technique
compared to the classical one.