Abstract: It is the living conditions in the cities that determine the future of our livelihood. “To change life, we must first change space"- Henri Lefebvre. Sustainable development is a utopian aspiration for South African cities (especially the case study of the Gauteng City Region), which are currently characterized by unplanned growth and increasing urban sprawl. While the reasons for poor environmental quality and living conditions are undoubtedly diverse and complex, having political, economical and social dimensions, it is argued that the prevailing approach to layout planning in South Africa is part of the problem. This article seeks a solution to the problem of sustainability, from a spatial planning perspective. The spatial planning tool, the urban development boundary, is introduced as the concept that will ensure empty talk being translated into a sustainable vision. The urban development boundary is a spatial planning tool that can be used and implemented to direct urban growth towards a more sustainable form. The urban development boundary aims to ensure planned urban areas, in contrast to the current unplanned areas characterized by urban sprawl and insufficient infrastructure. However, the success of the urban development boundary concept is subject to effective implementation measures, as well as adequate and efficient management. The concept of sustainable development can function as a driving force underlying societal change and transformation, but the interface between spatial planning and environmental management needs to be established (as this is the core aspects underlying sustainable development), and authorities needs to understand and implement this interface consecutively. This interface can, however, realize in terms of the objectives of the planning tool – the urban development boundary. The case study, the Gauteng City Region, is depicted as a site of economic growth and innovation, but there is a lack of good urban and regional governance, impacting on the design (layout) and function of urban areas and land use, as current authorities make uninformed decisions in terms of development applications, leading to unsustainable urban forms and unsustainable nodes. Place and space concepts are thus critical matters applicable to planning of the Gauteng City Region. The urban development boundary are thus explored as a planning tool to guide decision-making, and create a sustainable urban form, leading to better environmental and living conditions, and continuous sustainability.
Abstract: This paper quantifies the impact of providing a shortterm
excess active power support of a variable speed wind turbine
(VSWT) and effect of super magnetic energy storage (SMES) unit on
frequency control, particularly temporary minimum frequency (TMF)
term. To demonstrate the effect of these factors on the power system
frequency, a three-area power system is considered as a test system.
Abstract: Regression testing is a maintenance activity applied to
modified software to provide confidence that the changed parts are
correct and that the unchanged parts have not been adversely affected
by the modifications. Regression test selection techniques reduce the
cost of regression testing, by selecting a subset of an existing test
suite to use in retesting modified programs. This paper presents the
first general regression-test-selection technique, which based on code
and allows selecting test cases for any programs written in any
programming language. Then it handles incomplete program. We
also describe RTSDiff, a regression-test-selection system that
implements the proposed technique. The results of the empirical
studied that performed in four programming languages java, C#, Cµ
and Visual basic show that the efficiency and effective in reducing
the size of test suit.
Abstract: In most cases, it is considerably difficult to directly measure structural vibration with a lot of sensors because of complex
geometry, time and equipment cost. For this reason, this paper deals
with the problem of locating sensors on a plate model by four advanced sensor placement optimization (S.P.O) techniques. It also
suggests the evaluation index representing the characteristic of orthogonal between each of natural modes. The index value provides the assistance to selecting of proper S.P.O technique and optimal
positions for monitoring of dynamic systems without the experiment.
Abstract: The introduction of mass-customization has enabled
new ways to treat patients within medicine. However, the
introduction of industrialized treatments has also meant new
obstacles. The purpose of this study was to introduce and
theoretically test a method for improving dental crown fit. The
optimization method allocates support points in order to check the
final variation for dental crowns. Three different types of geometries
were tested and compared. The three geometries were also divided
into three sub-geometries: Current method, Optimized method and
Feasible method. The Optimized method, using the whole surface for
support points, provided the best results. The results support the
objective of the study. It also seems that the support optimization
method can dramatically improve the robustness of dental crown
treatments.
Abstract: In this paper optimal capacitor placement problem has
been formulated in a restructured distribution network. In this
scenario the distribution network operator can consider reactive
energy also as a service that can be sold to transmission system. Thus
search for optimal location, size and number of capacitor banks with
the objective of loss reduction, maximum income from selling
reactive energy to transmission system and return on investment for
capacitors, has been performed. Results is influenced with economic
value of reactive energy, therefore problem has been solved for
various amounts of it. The implemented optimization technique is
genetic algorithm. For any value of reactive power economic value,
when reverse of investment index increase and change from zero or
negative values to positive values, the threshold value of selling
reactive power has been obtained. This increasing price of economic
parameter is reasonable until the network losses is less than loss
before compensation.
Abstract: A simple microstructure optical fiber design based on an octagonal cladding structure is presented for simultaneously controlling dispersion and leakage properties. The finite difference method with anisotropic perfectly matched boundary layer is used to investigate the guiding properties. It is demonstrated that octagonal photonic crystal fibers with four rings can assume negative ultra-flattened dispersion of -19 + 0.23 ps/nm/km in the wavelength range of 1.275 μm to 1.68 μm, nearly zero ultra-flattened dispersion of 0 ± 0.40 ps/nm/km in a 1.38 to 1.64 μm, and low confinement losses less than 10-3 dB/km in the entire band of interest.
Abstract: Today, canines are still used effectively in acceleration detection situation. However, this method is becoming impractical in modern age and a new automated replacement to the canine is required. This paper reports the design of an innovative accelerant detector. Designing an accelerant detector is a long process as is any design process; therefore, a solution to the need for a mobile, effective accelerant detector is hereby presented. The device is simple and efficient to ensure that any accelerant detection can be conducted quickly and easily. The design utilizes Ultra Violet (UV) light to detect the accelerant. When the UV light shines on an accelerant, the hydrocarbons in the accelerant emit florescence. The advantages of using the UV light to detect accelerant are also outlined in this paper. The mobility of the device is achieved by using a Direct Current (DC) motor to run tank tracks. Tank tracks were chosen as to ensure that the device will be mobile in the rough terrain of a fire site. The materials selected for the various parts are also presented. A Solid Works Simulation was also conducted on the stresses in the shafts and the results are presented. This design is an innovative solution which offers a user friendly interface. The design is also environmentally friendly, ecologically sound and safe to use.
Abstract: This paper deals with the status of solid waste pollution in touristic spots of North coastal Andhra Pradesh. Case studies of Eco tourism, cultural tourism and pilgrim tourism are elaborately discussed and the study is based on both primary and secondary data. Data collection includes field collection of solid waste, semi structured interviews and observation of tourists. Results indicate generation of 72% Non biodegradable material in Eco touristic places like RK beach Visakhapatnam, Araku Valley. Pydithalli Jathra is a famous cultural touristic attraction and more than one lakh people converge here. The solid waste at this spot includes 20% coconut shells, 50% plastic bottles and covers, 20% Banana peelings and remaining are food materials. Radhasapthami is the most important festival celebrated at famous sun temple Arasavalli of Srikakulam. Here solid waste includes 50% water bottles, plastic covers, 10% papers, 10% hair, 30% left out food material and Banana peelings.
Abstract: Supplier appraisal fosters energy in Supply Chain
Management and helps in best optimization of viable business
partners for a company. Many Decision Making techniques have
already been proposed by researchers for supplier-s appraisal.
However, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is assumed to be the
most structured technique to attain near-best solution of the problem.
This paper focuses at implementation of AHP in the procurement
processes. It also suggests that on what factors a Public Sector
Enterprises must focus while dealing with their suppliers and what
should the suppliers do to synchronize their activities with the
strategic objectives of Organization. It also highlights the weak areas
in supplier appraisal process with a view to suggest viable
recommendations.
Abstract: Image watermarking has become an important tool for
intellectual property protection and authentication. In this paper a
watermarking technique is suggested that incorporates two
watermarks in a host image for improved protection and robustness.
A watermark, in form of a PN sequence (will be called the secondary
watermark), is embedded in the wavelet domain of a primary
watermark before being embedded in the host image. The technique
has been tested using Lena image as a host and the camera man as
the primary watermark. The embedded PN sequence was detectable
through correlation among other five sequences where a PSNR of
44.1065 dB was measured. Furthermore, to test the robustness of the
technique, the watermarked image was exposed to four types of
attacks, namely compression, low pass filtering, salt and pepper noise
and luminance change. In all cases the secondary watermark was
easy to detect even when the primary one is severely distorted.
Abstract: In this article the authors investigate the main
tendencies of development of the management in the education system of the Republic of Kazakhstan: problems, solutions and
development of the education system of Kazakhstan in the realities of globalization.
Abstract: One of the most growing areas in the embedded community is multimedia devices. Multimedia devices incorporate a number of complicated functions for their operation, like motion estimation. A multitude of different implementations have been proposed to reduce motion estimation complexity, such as spiral search. We have studied the implementations of spiral search and identified areas of improvement. We propose a modified spiral search algorithm, with lower computational complexity compared to the original spiral search. We have implemented our algorithm on an embedded ARM based architecture, with custom memory hierarchy. The resulting system yields energy consumption reduction up to 64% and performance increase up to 77%, with a small penalty of 2.3 dB, in average, of video quality compared with the original spiral search algorithm.
Abstract: The charnockitic and associated granitic rocks of Akure area were studied for their field and petrographic relationship's. The outcrops locations were plotted in Surfer 8. The granitic rock exhibits a porphyritic texture and outcrops in the north-eastern side of the study area while the charnockitics outcrop in the central/western part. An essentially dark coloured and fine grained intrusive exhibiting xenoliths and xenocrysts (plagioclase phenocrysts) of the granite outcrops between the granitic and charnockitic rocks. Mineralogically, the central rock combines the content of the other two indicating that it is most likely a product of their hybridization. The charnockitic magma is believed to have intruded and assimilated the granite substantially thereby contaminating itself and consequently emplacing the hybrid. The presented model of emplacement elucidates the hybridization proposal. Conclusively, the charnockitics are believed to be (a) younger than the granite, (b) of Pan-African age and (c) of igneous origin.
Abstract: A submerged horizontal plate type breakwater is
pointed out as an efficient wave protection device for cage culture in
marine fishery. In order to reveal the wave elimination principle of this
type breakwater, boundary element method is utilized to investigate
this problem. The flow field and the trajectory of water particles are
studied carefully. The flow field analysis shows that: the interaction of
incident wave and adverse current above the plate disturbs the water
domain drastically. This can slow down the horizontal velocity and
vertical velocity of the water particles.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the
relationship between corporate governance and pricing for initial
public offerings (IPOs). Empirical result finds that the prediction of
pricing of IPOs with corporate governance added can have a rather
higher degree of predicting accuracy than that of non governance
added during the training and testing samples. Therefore, it can be
observed that corporate governance mechanism can affect the pricing
of IPOs
Abstract: In multi hop wireless systems, such as ad hoc and
sensor networks, mobile ad hoc network applications are deployed,
security emerges as a central requirement. A particularly devastating
attack is known as the wormhole attack, where two or more malicious
colluding nodes create a higher level virtual tunnel in the network,
which is employed to transport packets between the tunnel end points.
These tunnels emulate shorter links in the network. In which
adversary records transmitted packets at one location in the network,
tunnels them to another location, and retransmits them into the
network. The wormhole attack is possible even if the attacker has not
compromised any hosts and even if all communication provides
authenticity and confidentiality. In this paper, we analyze wormhole
attack nature in ad hoc and sensor networks and existing methods of
the defending mechanism to detect wormhole attacks without require
any specialized hardware. This analysis able to provide in
establishing a method to reduce the rate of refresh time and the
response time to become more faster.
Abstract: With the demand of mobility by users, wireless
technologies have become the hotspot developing arena. Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF) working group has developed Mobile
IP to support node mobility. The concept of node mobility indicates
that in spite of the movement of the node, it is still connected to the
internet and all the data transactions are preserved. It provides
location-independent access to Internet. After the incorporation of
host mobility, network mobility has undergone intense research.
There are several intricacies faced in the real world implementation
of network mobility significantly the problem of nested networks and
their consequences. This article is concerned regarding a problem of
nested network called pinball route problem and proposes a solution
to eliminate the above problem. The proposed mechanism is
implemented using NS2 simulation tool and it is found that the
proposed mechanism efficiently reduces the overload caused by the
pinball route problem.
Abstract: This paper describes a novel method for automatic
estimation of the contours of weld defect in radiography images.
Generally, the contour detection is the first operation which we apply
in the visual recognition system. Our approach can be described as a
region based maximum likelihood formulation of parametric
deformable contours. This formulation provides robustness against
the poor image quality, and allows simultaneous estimation of the
contour parameters together with other parameters of the model.
Implementation is performed by a deterministic iterative algorithm
with minimal user intervention. Results testify for the very good
performance of the approach especially in synthetic weld defect
images.
Abstract: Staphylococcus aureus, one of the microflora in a
human external auditory canal (EAC) is frequently exposed to highfrequency
electromagnetic field (HF-EMF) generated by mobile
phones. It is normally non-pathogenic but in certain circumstances, it
can cause infections. This study investigates the changes in the
physiology of S. aureus when exposed to HF-EMF of a mobile
phone. Exponentially grown S. aureus were exposed to two
conditions of EMF irradiation (standby-mode and on-call mode) at
four durations; 15, 30, 45 and 60 min. Changes in the viability and
biofilm production of the S. aureus were compared between the two
conditions of exposure. EMF from the standby-mode has enhanced
the growth of S. aureus but during on-call, the growth was
suppressed. No significant difference in the amount of biofilm
produced in both modes of exposure was observed. Thus, HF-EMF
of mobile phone affects the viability of S. aureus but not its ability to
produce biofilm.