Abstract: Climate change is a phenomenon has been based on
the available evidence from a very long time ago and now its
existence is very probable. The speed and nature of climate
parameters changes at the middle of twentieth century has been
different and its quickness more than the before and its trend changed
to some extent comparing to the past. Climate change issue now
regarded as not only one of the most common scientific topic but also
a social political one, is not a new issue. Climate change is a
complicated atmospheric oceanic phenomenon on a global scale and
long-term. Precipitation pattern change, fast decrease of snowcovered
resources and its rapid melting, increased evaporation, the
occurrence of destroying floods, water shortage crisis, severe
reduction at the rate of harvesting agricultural products and, so on are
all the significant of climate change. To cope with this phenomenon,
its consequences and events in which public instruction is the most
important but it may be climate that no significant cant and effective
action has been done so far. The present article is included a part of
one surrey about climate change in Fars. The study area having
annually mean temperature 14 and precipitation 320 mm .23 stations
inside the basin with a common 37 year statistical period have been
applied to the meteorology data (1974-2010). Man-kendal and
change factor methods are two statistical methods, applying them, the
trend of changes and the annual mean average temperature and the
annual minimum mean temperature were studied by using them.
Based on time series for each parameter, the annual mean average
temperature and the mean of annual maximum temperature have a
rising trend so that this trend is clearer to the mean of annual
maximum temperature.
Abstract: In this paper, study on carbonation process of several types of advanced plasters on lime basis is presented. The movement of carbonation head was measured by colorimetric method using phenolphtalein. The rate of carbonation was accessed also by gravimetric method. Samples of studied materials were placed into the climatic chamber for simulation of environment with high concentration of CO2. The particular samples were on all lateral sides and on the bottom side provided by epoxy resin in order to arrange 1-D transport of CO2 into the studied samples. The carbonation rates of particular materials pointed to the time dependence of diffusion process of CO2 for all the studied plasters. From the quantitative point of view, the carbonation of advanced modified plasters was much faster than for the reference lime plaster, what is beneficial for the practical application of the tested newly developed materials.
Abstract: This paper proposes a Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control (FSMC) as a control strategy for Buck-Boost DC-DC converter. The proposed fuzzy controller specifies changes in the control signal based on the knowledge of the surface and the surface change to satisfy the sliding mode stability and attraction conditions. The performances of the proposed fuzzy sliding controller are compared to those obtained by a classical sliding mode controller. The satisfactory simulation results show the efficiency of the proposed control law which reduces the chattering phenomenon. Moreover, the obtained results prove the robustness of the proposed control law against variation of the load resistance and the input voltage of the studied converter.
Abstract: Automated material handling is given prime
importance in the semi automated and automated facilities since it
provides solution to the gigantic problems related to inventory and
also support the latest philosophies like just in time production JIT
and lean production. Automated storage and retrieval system is an
antidote (if designed properly) to the facility sufferings like getting
the right material , materials getting perished, long cycle times or
many other similar kind of problems. A working model of automated
storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) is designed and developed
under the design parameters specified by Material Handling Industry
of America (MHIA). Later on analysis was carried out to calculate
the throughput and size of the machine. The possible implementation
of this technology in local scenario is also discussed in this paper.
Abstract: In cognitive radio (CR) systems, the primary user (PU) signal would randomly depart or arrive during the sensing period of a CR user, which is referred to as the high traffic environment. In this paper, we propose a novel spectrum sensing scheme based
on the cyclostationarity of PU signals in high traffic environments. Specifically, we obtain a test statistic by applying an estimate of spectral autocoherence function of the PU signal to the generalized- likelihood ratio. From numerical results, it is confirmed that the proposed scheme provides a better spectrum sensing performance compared with the conventional spectrum sensing scheme based on the energy of the PU signals in high traffic environments.
Abstract: The uniform Roe C*-algebra (also called uniform translation)C^*- algebra provides a link between coarse geometry and C^*- algebra theory. The uniform Roe algebra has a great importance in geometry, topology and analysis. We consider some of the elementary concepts associated with coarse spaces.
Abstract: Influence diagrams (IDs) are one of the most commonly used graphical decision models for reasoning under uncertainty. The quantification of IDs which consists in defining conditional probabilities for chance nodes and utility functions for value nodes is not always obvious. In fact, decision makers cannot always provide exact numerical values and in some cases, it is more easier for them to specify qualitative preference orders. This work proposes an adaptation of standard IDs to the qualitative framework based on possibility theory.
Abstract: A lot of research made during these last 15 years
showed that the quantification of the springback has a significant role
in the industry of sheet metal forming. These studies were made with
the objective of finding techniques and methods to minimize or
completely avoid this permanent physical variation. Moreover, the
use of steel and aluminum alloys in the car industry and aviation
poses every day the problem of the springback. The determination in
advance of the quantity of the springback allows consequently the
design and manufacture of the tool. The aim of this paper is to study
experimentally the influence of the blank holder force BHF and the
radius of curvature of the die on the springback and their influence on
the strain in various zone of specimen.
The original of our purpose consist on tests which are ensured by
adapting a U-type stretching-bending device on a tensile testing
machine, where we studied and quantified the variation of the
springback according to displacement.
Abstract: Evolutionary robotics is concerned with the design of
intelligent systems with life-like properties by means of simulated
evolution. Approaches in evolutionary robotics can be categorized
according to the control structures that represent the behavior and the
parameters of the controller that undergo adaptation. The basic idea
is to automatically synthesize behaviors that enable the robot to
perform useful tasks in complex environments. The evolutionary
algorithm searches through the space of parameterized controllers
that map sensory perceptions to control actions, thus realizing a
specific robotic behavior. Further, the evolutionary algorithm
maintains and improves a population of candidate behaviors by
means of selection, recombination and mutation. A fitness function
evaluates the performance of the resulting behavior according to the
robot-s task or mission. In this paper, the focus is in the use of
genetic algorithms to solve a multi-objective optimization problem
representing robot behaviors; in particular, the A-Compander Law is
employed in selecting the weight of each objective during the
optimization process. Results using an adaptive fitness function show
that this approach can efficiently react to complex tasks under
variable environments.
Abstract: State Dependent Riccati Equation (SDRE) approach is
a modification of the well studied LQR method. It has the capability of being applied to control nonlinear systems. In this paper the technique
has been applied to control the single inverted pendulum (SIP) which represents a rich class of nonlinear underactuated systems. SIP
modeling is based on Euler-Lagrange equations. A procedure is developed
for judicious selection of weighting parameters and constraint handling. The controller designed by SDRE technique here gives better results than existing controllers designed by energy based techniques.
Abstract: Field experiment was conducted to investigate the combine use of animal manure and inorganic fertilizer on growth and yield performance of vegetable cowpea. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with seven treatments. Poultry manure, cattle manure and goat manure were evaluated with recommended level of inorganic fertilizer for vegetable cowpea. The highest crop yield was obtained by the application of poultry manure combined with the recommended level of inorganic fertilizer. The lowest yield was obtained by the application of goat manure only. In addition, the results revealed that the goat manure and cattle manure were inferior to poultry manure as a source of organic manure for vegetable cowpea cultivation. The animal manure combine with chemical fertilizer gave a higher yield when compared to the sole application of animal manure. The soil analysis showed that the nitrogen content and phosphorus content of poultry manure treated plots were higher than other treatments tested. But potassium content was higher in goat manure treated plots. The results further revealed that the poultry manure has a beneficial effect on crop growth and yield compared with other treatments. Therefore, the combined use of poultry manure with inorganic fertilizer application has been recognized as the most suitable way of ensuring high crop yield.
Abstract: This paper develops a critical perspective on using
culture and creativity as tools for urban regeneration. Following a
brief assessment of the evolution of cultural policy in recent decades
and different urban regeneration scheme, the concepts of creativity
and creative cities are discussed. This is followed by an attempt to
clarify the relationship between the concepts of creativity and culture.
A more detailed critique of cultural and creative initiatives in Serbian
cities is then undertaken. These attempts show that the potential for
development of urban regeneration driven by culture and creativity
exist. But, these initiatives failed to produce adequate results because
they did not take root as a comprehensive urban regeneration
strategy, therefore, recommendations for further development are
offered.
Abstract: The paper presents the applications of artificial
intelligence technique called adaptive tabu search to design the
controller of a buck converter. The averaging model derived from the
DQ and generalized state-space averaging methods is applied to
simulate the system during a searching process. The simulations
using such averaging model require the faster computational time
compared with that of the full topology model from the software
packages. The reported model is suitable for the work in the paper in
which the repeating calculation is needed for searching the best
solution. The results will show that the proposed design technique
can provide the better output waveforms compared with those
designed from the classical method.
Abstract: Complex statistical analysis of stresses in concrete
slab of the real type of rigid pavement is performed. The
computational model of the pavement is designed as a spatial (3D) model, is based on a nonlinear variant of the finite element method
that respects the structural nonlinearity, enables to model different arrangement of joints, and the entire model can be loaded by the
thermal load. Interaction of adjacent slabs in joints and contact of the slab and the subsequent layer are modeled with help of special
contact elements. Four concrete slabs separated by transverse and
longitudinal joints and the additional subgrade layers and soil to the depth of about 3m are modeled. The thickness of individual layers,
physical and mechanical properties of materials, characteristics of
joints, and the temperature of the upper and lower surface of slabs are supposed to be random variables. The modern simulation technique
Updated Latin Hypercube Sampling with 20 simulations is used for statistical analysis. As results, the estimates of basic statistics of the
principal stresses s1 and s3 in 53 points on the upper and lower surface of the slabs are obtained.
Abstract: The link between urban planning and design principles and the built environment of an urban renewal area is of interest to the field of urban studies. During the past decade, there has also been increasing interest in urban planning and design; this interest is motivated by the possibility that design policies associated with the built environment can be used to control, manage, and shape individual activity and behavior. However, direct assessments and design techniques of the links between how urban planning design policies influence individuals are still rare in the field. Recent research efforts in urban design have focused on the idea that land use and design policies can be used to increase the quality of design projects for an urban renewal area-s built environment. The development of appropriate design techniques for the built environment is an essential element of this research. Quality function deployment (QFD) is a powerful tool for improving alternative urban design and quality for urban renewal areas, and for procuring a citizen-driven quality system. In this research, we propose an integrated framework based on QFD and an Analytic Network Process (ANP) approach to determine the Alternative Technical Requirements (ATRs) to be considered in designing an urban renewal planning and design alternative. We also identify the research designs and methodologies that can be used to evaluate the performance of urban built environment projects. An application in an urban renewal built environment planning and design project evaluation is presented to illustrate the proposed framework.
Abstract: Realistic 3D face model is desired in various
applications such as face recognition, games, avatars, animations, and
etc. Construction of 3D face model is composed of 1) building a face
shape model and 2) rendering the face shape model. Thus, building a
realistic 3D face shape model is an essential step for realistic 3D face
model. Recently, 3D morphable model is successfully introduced to
deal with the various human face shapes. 3D dense correspondence
problem should be precedently resolved for constructing a realistic 3D
dense morphable face shape model. Several approaches to 3D dense
correspondence problem in 3D face modeling have been proposed
previously, and among them optical flow based algorithms and TPS
(Thin Plate Spline) based algorithms are representative. Optical flow
based algorithms require texture information of faces, which is
sensitive to variation of illumination. In TPS based algorithms
proposed so far, TPS process is performed on the 2D projection
representation in cylindrical coordinates of the 3D face data, not
directly on the 3D face data and thus errors due to distortion in data
during 2D TPS process may be inevitable.
In this paper, we propose a new 3D dense correspondence algorithm
for 3D dense morphable face shape modeling. The proposed algorithm
does not need texture information and applies TPS directly on 3D face
data. Through construction procedures, it is observed that the proposed
algorithm constructs realistic 3D face morphable model reliably and
fast.
Abstract: Tablet computers and Multifunctional Hardcopy Devices (MHDs) are common devices in daily life. Though, many scientific studies have not been published. The tablet computers are straightforward to use whereas the MHDs are comparatively difficult to use. Thus, to assist different levels of users, we propose combining these two devices to achieve straightforward intelligent user interface (UI) and versatile What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) document management and production. Our approach to this issue is to design an intelligent user dependent UI for a MHD applying a tablet computer. Furthermore, we propose hardware interconnection and versatile intelligent software between these two devices. In this study, we first provide a state-of-the-art survey on MHDs and tablet computers, and their interconnections. Secondly we provide a comparative UI survey on two state-of-the-art MHDs with a proposal of a novel UI for the MHDs using Jakob Nielsen-s Ten Usability Heuristics Evaluation.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to identify the most suitable
model for churn prediction based on three different techniques. The
paper identifies the variables that affect churn in reverence of
customer complaints data and provides a comparative analysis of
neural networks, regression trees and regression in their capabilities
of predicting customer churn.
Abstract: A multi-block algorithm and its implementation in two-dimensional finite element numerical model CCHE2D are presented. In addition to a conventional Lagrangian Interpolation Method (LIM), a novel interpolation method, called Consistent Interpolation Method (CIM), is proposed for more accurate information transfer across the interfaces. The consistent interpolation solves the governing equations over the auxiliary elements constructed around the interpolation nodes using the same numerical scheme used for the internal computational nodes. With the CIM, the momentum conservation can be maintained as well as the mass conservation. An imbalance correction scheme is used to enforce the conservation laws (mass and momentum) across the interfaces. Comparisons of the LIM and the CIM are made using several flow simulation examples. It is shown that the proposed CIM is physically more accurate and produces satisfactory results efficiently.
Abstract: Composite steel shear wall is a lateral load resisting system which consists of a steel plate with concrete wall attached to one or both sides to prevent it from elastic buckling. The composite behavior is ensured by utilizing high-strength bolts. This paper investigates the effect of distance between bolts, and for this purpose 14 one-story one-bay specimens with various bolts spacing were modeled by finite element code which is developed by the authors. To verify the model, numerical results were compared with a valid experiment which illustrate proper agreement. Results depict increasing the distance between bolts would improve the seismic ever, this increase must be limited, because of large distances will cause widespread buckling of the steel plate in free subpanels between bolts and would result in no improvement. By comparing the results in elastic region, it was observed initial stiffness is not affected by changing the distance.