Abstract: In recent decades, the lean methodology, and the
development of its principles and concepts have widely been applied
in supply chain management. One of the most important strategies of
being lean is having efficient inventory within the chain. On the other
hand, managing inventory efficiently requires appropriate
management of safety stock in order to protect against increasing
stretch in the breaking points of the supply chain, which in turn can
result in possible reduction of inventory. This paper applies a safety
stock cost minimization model in a manufacturing company. The
model results in optimum levels and locations of safety stock within
the company-s supply chain in order to minimize total logistics costs.
Abstract: It is important to retain customer satisfaction in
information technology services. When a service failure occurs,
companies need to take service recovery action to recover their
customer satisfaction. Although companies cannot avoid all problems
and complaints, they should try to make up. Therefore, service failure
and service recovery have become an important and challenging issue
for companies. In this paper, the literature and the problems in the
information technology services were reviewed. An integrated model
of profit driven for the service failure and service recovery was
established in view of the benefit of customer and enterprise.
Moreover, the interaction between service failure and service recovery
strategy was studied, the result of which verified the matching
principles of the service recovery strategy and the type of service
failure. In addition, the relationship between the cost of service
recovery and customer-s cumulative value of service after recovery
was analyzed with the model. The result attributes to managers in
deciding on appropriate resource allocations for recovery strategies.
Abstract: Temperature is one of the most principle factors affects aquaculture system. It can cause stress and mortality or superior environment for growth and reproduction. This paper presents the control of pond water temperature using artificial intelligence technique. The water temperature is very important parameter for shrimp growth. The required temperature for optimal growth is 34oC, if temperature increase up to 38oC it cause death of the shrimp, so it is important to control water temperature. Solar thermal water heating system is designed to supply an aquaculture pond with the required hot water in Mersa Matruh in Egypt. Neural networks are massively parallel processors that have the ability to learn patterns through a training experience. Because of this feature, they are often well suited for modeling complex and non-linear processes such as those commonly found in the heating system. Artificial neural network is proposed to control water temperature due to Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are becoming useful as alternate approaches to conventional techniques. They have been used to solve complicated practical problems. Moreover this paper introduces a complete mathematical modeling and MATLAB SIMULINK model for the aquaculture system. The simulation results indicate that, the control unit success in keeping water temperature constant at the desired temperature by controlling the hot water flow rate.
Abstract: As a result of the daily workflow in the design
development departments of companies, databases containing huge
numbers of 3D geometric models are generated. According to the
given problem engineers create CAD drawings based on their design
ideas and evaluate the performance of the resulting design, e.g. by
computational simulations. Usually, new geometries are built either
by utilizing and modifying sets of existing components or by adding
single newly designed parts to a more complex design.
The present paper addresses the two facets of acquiring
components from large design databases automatically and providing
a reasonable overview of the parts to the engineer. A unified
framework based on the topographic non-negative matrix
factorization (TNMF) is proposed which solves both aspects
simultaneously. First, on a given database meaningful components
are extracted into a parts-based representation in an unsupervised
manner. Second, the extracted components are organized and
visualized on square-lattice 2D maps. It is shown on the example of
turbine-like geometries that these maps efficiently provide a wellstructured
overview on the database content and, at the same time,
define a measure for spatial similarity allowing an easy access and
reuse of components in the process of design development.
Abstract: An optimal mean-square fusion formulas with scalar
and matrix weights are presented. The relationship between them is
established. The fusion formulas are compared on the continuous-time
filtering problem. The basic differential equation for cross-covariance
of the local errors being the key quantity for distributed fusion is
derived. It is shown that the fusion filters are effective for multi-sensor
systems containing different types of sensors. An example
demonstrating the reasonable good accuracy of the proposed filters is
given.
Abstract: This paper presents the generation of bipolar square
wave pulses with characteristics that are suitable for liquid food
sterilization using a Cascaded H-bridge Multilevel Inverter (CHMI).
Bipolar square waves pulses have been reported as stable for a
longer time during the sterilization process with minimum heat
emission and increased efficiency. The CHMI allows the system to
produce bipolar square wave pulses and yielding high output voltage
without using a transformer while fulfilling the pulse requirements
for effective liquid food sterilization. This in turn can reduce power
consumption and cost of the overall liquid food sterilization system.
The simulation results have shown that pulses with peak output
voltage of 2.4 kV, pulse width of between 1 2s and 1 ms at
frequencies of 50 Hz and 100 Hz can be generated by a 7-level
CHMI. Results from the experimental set-up based on a 5-level
CHMI has indicated the potential of the proposed circuit in
producing bipolar square wave output pulses with peak values that
depends on the DC source level supplied to the CHMI modules,
pulse width of between 12.5 2s and 1 ms at frequencies of 50 Hz
and 100 Hz.
Abstract: The pyrolysis of hazelnut shell, polyethylene oxide and their blends were carried out catalytically at 500 and 650 ºC. Potassium dichromate was chosen according to its oxidative characteristics and decomposition temperature (500 ºC) where decomposition products are CrO3 and K2CrO4. As a main effect, a remarkable increase in gasification was observed using this catalyst for pure components and blends especially at 500 ºC rather than 650 ºC contrary to the main observation in the pyrolysis process. The increase in gas product quantity was compensated mainly with decrease in solid product and additionally in some cases liquid products.
Abstract: Cognitive Infocommunications (CogInfoCom) is a new
research direction which has emerged as the synergic convergence
of infocommunications and the cognitive sciences. In this paper,
we provide the definition of CogInfoCom, and propose an architectural
framework for the interaction-oriented design of CogInfoCom
systems. We provide the outlines of an application example of
the interaction-oriented architecture, and briefly discuss its main
characteristics.
Abstract: In the framework of adaptive parametric modelling of images, we propose in this paper a new technique based on the Chandrasekhar fast adaptive filter for texture characterization. An Auto-Regressive (AR) linear model of texture is obtained by scanning the image row by row and modelling this data with an adaptive Chandrasekhar linear filter. The characterization efficiency of the obtained model is compared with the model adapted with the Least Mean Square (LMS) 2-D adaptive algorithm and with the cooccurrence method features. The comparison criteria is based on the computation of a characterization degree using the ratio of "betweenclass" variances with respect to "within-class" variances of the estimated coefficients. Extensive experiments show that the coefficients estimated by the use of Chandrasekhar adaptive filter give better results in texture discrimination than those estimated by other algorithms, even in a noisy context.
Abstract: The seeds of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fall among the lesser known oil seeds. Cottonseeds are not normally consumed in their natural state due to their gossypol content, an antinutrient. The effect of processing on the sensory characteristics and chemical composition of cottonseed and its extract was studied by subjecting the cottonseed extract to heat treatment (boiling) and the cottonseed to fermentation. The cottonseed extract was boiled using the open pot and the pressure pot for 30 minutes respectively. The fermentation of the cottonseed was carried out for 6 days with samples withdrawn at intervals of 2 days. The extract and fermented samples were subjected to chemical analysis and sensory evaluated for colour, aroma, taste, mouth feel, appearance and overallacceptability. The open pot sample was more preferred. Fermentation for 6 days resulted into a significant reduction in gossypol level of the cottonseed; however, sample fermented for 2 days was most preferred.
Abstract: Malaysia government had been trying hard in order to
find the most efficient methods in learning. However, it is hard to
actually access and evaluate students whom will then be called an
excellent student. It is because in our realties student who excellent
is only excel in academic. This evaluation becomes a problem
because it not balances in our real life interm of to get an excellent
student in whole area in their involvement of curiculum and cocuriculum.
To overcome this scenario, we designed a module for
Student Idol to evaluate student through three categories which are
academic, co-curiculum and leadership. All the categories have their
own merit point. Using this method, student will be evaluated more
accurate compared to the previously. So, teacher can easily evaluate
their student without having any emotion factor, relation factor and
others. As conclusion this system module will helps the development
of student evaluation more accurate and valid in Student Idol.
Abstract: Semantic query optimization consists in restricting the
search space in order to reduce the set of objects of interest for a
query. This paper presents an indexing method based on UB-trees
and a static analysis of the constraints associated to the views of the
database and to any constraint expressed on attributes. The result of
the static analysis is a partitioning of the object space into disjoint
blocks. Through Space Filling Curve (SFC) techniques, each
fragment (block) of the partition is assigned a unique identifier,
enabling the efficient indexing of fragments by UB-trees. The search
space corresponding to a range query is restricted to a subset of the
blocks of the partition. This approach has been developed in the
context of a KB-DBMS but it can be applied to any relational
system.
Abstract: Downward turbulent bubbly flows in pipes were
modeled using computational fluid dynamics tools. The
Hydrodynamics, phase distribution and turbulent structure of twophase
air-water flow in a 57.15 mm diameter and 3.06 m length
vertical pipe was modeled by using the 3-D Eulerian-Eulerian
multiphase flow approach. Void fraction, liquid velocity and
turbulent fluctuations profiles were calculated and compared against
experimental data. CFD results are in good agreement with
experimental data.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to explain what a multienterprise tie is, what evidence its analysis provides and how does the cooperation mechanism influence the establishment of a multienterprise tie. The study focuses on businesses of smaller dimension, geographically dispersed and whose businessmen are learning to cooperate in an international environment. The empirical evidence obtained at this moment permits to conclude the following: The tie is not long-lasting, it has an end; opportunism is an opportunity to learn; the multi-enterprise tie is a space to learn about the cooperation mechanism; the local tie permits a businessman to alternate between competition and cooperation strategies; the disappearance of a tie is an experience of learning for a businessman, diminishing the possibility of failure in the next tie; the cooperation mechanism tends to eliminate hierarchical relations; the multienterprise tie diminishes the asymmetries and permits SME-s to have a better position when they negotiate with large companies; the multi-enterprise tie impacts positively on the local system. The collection of empirical evidence was done trough the following instruments: direct observation in a business encounter to which the businesses attended in 2003 (202 Mexican agro industry SME-s), a survey applied in 2004 (129), a questionnaire applied in 2005 (86 businesses), field visits to the businesses during the period 2006-2008 and; a survey applied by telephone in 2008 (55 Mexican agro industry SME-s).
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infectious disease caused by the obligate human pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a global reality that threatens tuberculosis control. Resistance to antibiotic Rifampicin, occurs in 95% of cases through nucleotide substitutions in an 81-bp core region of the rpoB i.e; beta subunit of DNA dependant RNA polymerase. In this paper, we studied the Rifampicin-rpoB receptor interactions In silico. First, homology modeling was performed to obtain the three dimensional structure of Mycobacterium rpoB. Sixty analogs of Rifampicin were prepared using Marvin sketch software. Both original Rifampicin and the analogs were docked with rpoB and energy values were obtained. Out of sixty analogs, 43 analogs had lesser energy values than conventional Rifampicin and hence are predicted to have greater binding affinity to rpoB. Thus, this study offers a route for the development of Rifampicin analogs against multi drug resistant Mycobacterium rpoB.
Abstract: A combined three-microphone voice activity detector (VAD) and noise-canceling system is studied to enhance speech recognition in an automobile environment. A previous experiment clearly shows the ability of the composite system to cancel a single noise source outside of a defined zone. This paper investigates the performance of the composite system when there are frequently moving noise sources (noise sources are coming from different locations but are not always presented at the same time) e.g. there is other passenger speech or speech from a radio when a desired speech is presented. To work in a frequently moving noise sources environment, whilst a three-microphone voice activity detector (VAD) detects voice from a “VAD valid zone", the 3-microphone noise canceller uses a “noise canceller valid zone" defined in freespace around the users head. Therefore, a desired voice should be in the intersection of the noise canceller valid zone and VAD valid zone. Thus all noise is suppressed outside this intersection of area. Experiments are shown for a real environment e.g. all results were recorded in a car by omni-directional electret condenser microphones.
Abstract: In situ observation of absorption spectral change of
heptil viologen cation radical (HV+.) was performed by slab optical
waveguide (SOWG) spectroscopy utilizing indium-tin-oxide (ITO)
electrodes. Synchronizing with electrochemical techniques, we
observed the adsorption process of HV+.on the ITO electrode. In this
study, we carried out the ITO-SOWG observations using KBr aqueous
solution containing different concentration of HV to investigate the
concentration dependent spectral change. A few specific absorption
bands, which indicated HV+.existed as both monomer and dimer on
ITO electrode surface with a monolayer or a few layers deposition,
were observed in UV-visible region. The change in the peak position
of the absorption spectra from adsorption species of HV+. were
correlated with the concentration of HV as well as the electrode
potential.
Abstract: Surface currents play a major role in the distribution
of contaminants, the connectivity of marine populations, and can
influence the vertical and horizontal distribution of nutrients within
the water column. This paper aims to determine the effects of sea
breeze-wind patterns on the climatology of the surface currents on the
continental shelf surrounding Rottnest Island, WA Australia. The
alternating wind patterns allow for full cyclic rotations of wind
direction, permitting the interpretation of the effect of the wind on the
surface currents. It was found that the surface currents only clearly
follow the northbound Capes Current in times when the Fremantle
Doctor sets in. Surface currents react within an hour to a change of
direction of the wind, allowing southerly currents to dominate during
strong northerly sea breezes, often followed by mixed currents
dominated by eddies in the inter-lying times.
Abstract: Virtualization-based server consolidation has been
proven to be an ideal technique to solve the server sprawl problem by
consolidating multiple virtualized servers onto a few physical servers
leading to improved resource utilization and return on investment. In
this paper, we solve this problem by using existing servers, which are
heterogeneous and diversely preferred by IT managers. Five practical
consolidation rules are introduced, and a decision model is proposed to
optimally allocate source services to physical target servers while
maximizing the average resource utilization and preference value. Our
model can be regarded as a multi-objective multi-dimension
bin-packing (MOMDBP) problem with constraints, which is strongly
NP-hard. An improved grouping generic algorithm (GGA) is
introduced for the problem. Extensive simulations were performed and
the results are given.
Abstract: In this study, a frame work for verification of famous seismic codes is utilized. To verify the seismic codes performance, damage quantity of RC frames is compared with the target performance. Due to the randomness property of seismic design and earthquake loads excitation, in this paper, fragility curves are developed. These diagrams are utilized to evaluate performance level of structures which are designed by the seismic codes. These diagrams further illustrate the effect of load combination and reduction factors of codes on probability of damage exceedance. Two types of structures; very high important structures with high ductility and medium important structures with intermediate ductility are designed by different seismic codes. The Results reveal that usually lower damage ratio generate lower probability of exceedance. In addition, the findings indicate that there are buildings with higher quantity of bars which they have higher probability of damage exceedance. Life-cycle cost analysis utilized for comparison and final decision making process.