Abstract: Thermoacoustic instabilities in combustors have
remained a topic of investigation for over a few decades due to the
challenges it posses to the operation of low emission gas turbines.
For combustors burning liquid fuel, understanding the cause-andeffect
relationship between spray combustion dynamics and
thermoacoustic oscillations is imperative for the successful
development of any control methodology for its mitigation. The
paper presents some very unique operating characteristics of a
kerosene-fueled diffusion type combustor undergoing limit-cycle
oscillations. Combustor stability limits were mapped using three
different-sized injectors. The results show that combustor instability
depends on the characteristics of the fuel spray. A simple analytic
analysis is also reported in support of a plausible explanation for the
unique combustor behavior. The study indicates that high amplitude
acoustic pressure in the combustor may cause secondary breakdown
of fuel droplets resulting in premixed pre-vaporized type burning of
the diffusion type combustor.
Abstract: Within dental-guided surgery, there has been a lack
of analytical methods for optimizing the treatment of the
rehabilitation concepts regarding geometrical variation. The purpose
of this study is to find the source of the greatest geometrical variation
contributor and sensitivity contributor with the help of virtual
variation simulation of a dental drill- and implant-guided surgery
process using a methodical approach. It is believed that lower
geometrical variation will lead to better patient security and higher
quality of dental drill- and implant-guided surgeries. It was found
that the origin of the greatest contributor to the most variation, and
hence where the foci should be set, in order to minimize geometrical
variation was in the assembly category (surgery). This was also the
category that was the most sensitive for geometrical variation.
Abstract: Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a widely used
method for material identification for laboratory and industrial applications.
While standard spectrometers only allow measurements at
one sampling point at a time, NIR Spectral Imaging techniques can
measure, in real-time, both the size and shape of an object as well as
identify the material the object is made of. The online classification
and sorting of recovered paper with NIR Spectral Imaging (SI)
is used with success in the paper recycling industry throughout
Europe. Recently, the globalisation of the recycling material streams
caused that water-based flexographic-printed newspapers mainly from
UK and Italy appear also in central Europe. These flexo-printed
newspapers are not sufficiently de-inkable with the standard de-inking
process originally developed for offset-printed paper. This de-inking
process removes the ink from recovered paper and is the fundamental
processing step to produce high-quality paper from recovered paper.
Thus, the flexo-printed newspapers are a growing problem for the
recycling industry as they reduce the quality of the produced paper
if their amount exceeds a certain limit within the recovered paper
material.
This paper presents the results of a research project for the
development of an automated entry inspection system for recovered
paper that was jointly conducted by CTR AG (Austria) and PTS
Papiertechnische Stiftung (Germany). Within the project an NIR
SI prototype for the identification of flexo-printed newspaper has
been developed. The prototype can identify and sort out flexoprinted
newspapers in real-time and achieves a detection accuracy
for flexo-printed newspaper of over 95%. NIR SI, the technology the
prototype is based on, allows the development of inspection systems
for incoming goods in a paper production facility as well as industrial
sorting systems for recovered paper in the recycling industry in the
near future.
Abstract: This is a conceptual paper on the application of open
innovation in three case examples of Apple, Nintendo, and Nokia.
Utilizing key concepts from research into managerial and
organizational cognition, we describe how each company overcame
barriers to utilizing open innovation strategy in R&D and
commercialization projects. We identify three levels of barriers:
cognitive, behavioral, and institutional, and describe the companies
balanced between internal and external resources to launch products
that were instrumental in companies reinventing themselves in
mature markets.
Abstract: Self-organizing map (SOM) is a well known data reduction technique used in data mining. Data visualization can reveal structure in data sets that is otherwise hard to detect from raw data alone. However, interpretation through visual inspection is prone to errors and can be very tedious. There are several techniques for the automatic detection of clusters of code vectors found by SOMs, but they generally do not take into account the distribution of code vectors; this may lead to unsatisfactory clustering and poor definition of cluster boundaries, particularly where the density of data points is low. In this paper, we propose the use of a generic particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for finding cluster boundaries directly from the code vectors obtained from SOMs. The application of our method to unlabeled call data for a mobile phone operator demonstrates its feasibility. PSO algorithm utilizes U-matrix of SOMs to determine cluster boundaries; the results of this novel automatic method correspond well to boundary detection through visual inspection of code vectors and k-means algorithm.
Abstract: Particulate reinforced metal matrix composites
(MMCs) are potential materials for various applications due to their
advantageous of physical and mechanical properties. This paper
presents a study on the performance of stir cast Al2O3 SiC reinforced
metal matrix composite materials. The results indicate that the
composite materials exhibit improved physical and mechanical
properties, such as, low coefficient of thermal expansion, high
ultimate tensile strength, high impact strength, and hardness. It has
been found that with the increase of weight percentage of
reinforcement particles in the aluminium metal matrix, the new
material exhibits lower wear rate against abrasive wearing. Being
extremely lighter than the conventional gray cast iron material, the
Al-Al2O3 and Al-SiC composites could be potential green materials
for applications in the automobile industry, for instance, in making
car disc brake rotors.
Abstract: This paper presents an efficient algorithm for
optimization of radial distribution systems by a network
reconfiguration to balance feeder loads and eliminate overload
conditions. The system load-balancing index is used to determine the
loading conditions of the system and maximum system loading
capacity. The index value has to be minimum in the optimal network
reconfiguration of load balancing. A method based on Tabu search
algorithm, The Tabu search algorithm is employed to search for the
optimal network reconfiguration. The basic idea behind the search is
a move from a current solution to its neighborhood by effectively
utilizing a memory to provide an efficient search for optimality. It
presents low computational effort and is able to find good quality
configurations. Simulation results for a radial 69-bus system with
distributed generations and capacitors placement. The study results
show that the optimal on/off patterns of the switches can be identified
to give the best network reconfiguration involving balancing of
feeder loads while respecting all the constraints.
Abstract: Ecological ponds can be a good teaching tool for
science teachers, but they must be built and maintained properly to
provide students with a safe and suitable learning environment.
Hence, many schools do not have the ability to build an ecological
pond. This study used virtual reality technology to develop a webbased
virtual ecological pond. Supported by situated learning theory
and the instructional design of “Aquatic Life" learning unit,
elementary school students can actively explore in the virtual
ecological pond to observe aquatic animals and plants and learn
about the concept of ecological conservation. A teaching experiment
was conducted to investigate the learning effectiveness and
practicability of this instructional design, and the results showed that
students improved a great deal in learning about aquatic life. They
found the virtual ecological pond interesting, easy to operate and
helpful to understanding the aquatic ecological system. Therefore, it
is useful in elementary science education.
Abstract: In a pilot plant scale of a fluidized bed reactor, a
reduction reaction of sodium sulfate by natural gas has been
investigated. Natural gas is applied in this study as a reductant. Feed
density, feed mass flow rate, natural gas and air flow rate
(independent parameters)and temperature of bed and CO
concentration in inlet and outlet of reactor (dependent parameters)
were monitored and recorded at steady state. The residence time was
adjusted close to value of traditional reaction [1]. An artificial neural
network (ANN) was established to study dependency of yield and
carbon gradient on operating parameters. Resultant 97% accuracy of
applied ANN is a good prove that natural gas can be used as a
reducing agent. Predicted ANN model for relation between other
sources carbon gradient (accuracy 74%) indicates there is not a
meaningful relation between other sources carbon variation and
reduction process which means carbon in granule does not have
significant effect on the reaction yield.
Abstract: A rare phenomenon of SDS-induced activation of a latent protease activity associated with the purified silkworm excretory red fluorescent protein (SE-RFP) was noticed. SE-RFP aliquots incubated with SDS for different time intervals indicated that the protein undergoes an obligatory breakdown into a number of subunits which exhibit autoproteolytic (acting upon themselves) and/or heteroproteolytic (acting on other proteins) activities. A strong serine protease activity of SE-RFP subunits on Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) polyhedral protein was detected by zymography technique. A complete inhibition of BmNPV infection to silkworms was observed by the oral administration assay of the SE-RFP. Here, it is proposed that the SE-RFP prevents the initial infection of BmNPV to silkworms by obliterating the polyhedral protein. This is the first report on a silkworm red fluorescent protein that exhibits a protease activity on exposure to SDS. The present studies would help in understanding the antiviral mechanism of silkworm red fluorescent proteins.
Abstract: Developments in communication technologies
especially in wireless have enabled the progress of low-cost and lowpower
wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The features of such WSN
are holding minimal energy, weak computational capabilities,
wireless communication and an open-medium nature where sensors
are deployed. WSN is underpinned by application driven such as
military applications, the health sector, etc. Due to the intrinsic nature
of the network and application scenario, WSNs are vulnerable to
many attacks externally and internally. In this paper we have focused
on the types of internal attacks of WSNs based on OSI model and
discussed some security requirements, characterizers and challenges
of WSNs, by which to contribute to the WSN-s security research.
Abstract: This paper explores transformation of higher
education system in Kazakhstan since 1991. The research unravels
successful experience in the field and challenges. It covers issues of institutional change, faculty, research, university, funding, standards
and leadership. The paper offers recommendations in improving state of art in higher educational institutions of Kazakhstan based on
international approaches and local realities.
Abstract: Game theory could be used to analyze the conflicted
issues in the field of information hiding. In this paper, 2-phase game
can be used to build the embedder-attacker system to analyze the
limits of hiding capacity of embedding algorithms: the embedder
minimizes the expected damage and the attacker maximizes it. In the
system, the embedder first consumes its resource to build embedded
units (EU) and insert the secret information into EU. Then the attacker
distributes its resource evenly to the attacked EU. The expected
equilibrium damage, which is maximum damage in value from the
point of view of the attacker and minimum from the embedder against
the attacker, is evaluated by the case when the attacker attacks a
subset from all the EU. Furthermore, the optimal equilibrium capacity
of hiding information is calculated through the optimal number of EU
with the embedded secret information. Finally, illustrative examples
of the optimal equilibrium capacity are presented.
Abstract: This paper describes the pipeline architecture of
high-speed modified Booth multipliers. The proposed multiplier
circuits are based on the modified Booth algorithm and the pipeline
technique which are the most widely used to accelerate the
multiplication speed. In order to implement the optimally pipelined
multipliers, many kinds of experiments have been conducted. The
speed of the multipliers is greatly improved by properly deciding the
number of pipeline stages and the positions for the pipeline registers to
be inserted. We described the proposed modified Booth multiplier
circuits in Verilog HDL and synthesized the gate-level circuits using
0.13um standard cell library. The resultant multiplier circuits show
better performance than others. Since the proposed multipliers operate
at GHz ranges, they can be used in the systems requiring very high
performance.
Abstract: Tourism researchers have recently focused on repeat visitation as a part of destination loyalty. Different models have also considered satisfaction as the main determinant of revisit intention, while findings in many studies show it as a continuous issue. This conceptual paper attempts at evaluating recent empirical studies on satisfaction and revisit intention. Based on limitations and gaps in recent studies, the current paper suggests a new model that would be more comprehensive than those in previous studies. The new model offers new relationships between antecedents (destination image, perceived value, specific novelty seeking, and distance to destination) and both of satisfaction and revisit intention. Revisit intention in turn is suggested to be measured in a temporal approach.
Abstract: Matching algorithms have significant importance in
speaker recognition. Feature vectors of the unknown utterance are
compared to feature vectors of the modeled speakers as a last step in
speaker recognition. A similarity score is found for every model in
the speaker database. Depending on the type of speaker recognition,
these scores are used to determine the author of unknown speech
samples. For speaker verification, similarity score is tested against a
predefined threshold and either acceptance or rejection result is
obtained. In the case of speaker identification, the result depends on
whether the identification is open set or closed set. In closed set
identification, the model that yields the best similarity score is
accepted. In open set identification, the best score is tested against a
threshold, so there is one more possible output satisfying the
condition that the speaker is not one of the registered speakers in
existing database. This paper focuses on closed set speaker
identification using a modified version of a well known matching
algorithm. The results of new matching algorithm indicated better
performance on YOHO international speaker recognition database.
Abstract: In this paper, the sum of squares in linear regression is
reduced to sum of squares in semi-parametric regression. We
indicated that different sums of squares in the linear regression are
similar to various deviance statements in semi-parametric regression.
In addition to, coefficient of the determination derived in linear
regression model is easily generalized to coefficient of the
determination of the semi-parametric regression model. Then, it is
made an application in order to support the theory of the linear
regression and semi-parametric regression. In this way, study is
supported with a simulated data example.
Abstract: Laboratory experiments have been performed to investigate photocatalytic detoxification by using TiO2 photocatalyst for treating dairy effluent. Various operational parameters such as catalyst concentration, initial concentration, angle of tilt of solar flat plate reactor and flow rate were investigated. Results indicated that the photocatalytic detoxification process can efficiently treat dairy effluent. Experimental runs with dairy wastewater can be used to identify the optimum operational parameters to perform wastewater degradation on large scale for recycling purpose. Also effect of two different types of reactors on degradation process was analyzed.
Abstract: This paper aims to describe how student satisfaction is
measured for work-based learners as these are non-traditional
learners, conducting academic learning in the workplace, typically
their curricula have a high degree of negotiation, and whose
motivations are directly related to their employers- needs, as well as
their own career ambitions. We argue that while increasing WBL
participation, and use of SSD are both accepted as being of strategic
importance to the HE agenda, the use of WBL SSD is rarely
examined, and lessons can be learned from the comparison of SSD
from a range of WBL programmes, and increased visibility of this
type of data will provide insight into ways to improve and develop
this type of delivery. The key themes that emerged from the analysis
of the interview data were: learners profiles and needs, employers
drivers, academic staff drivers, organizational approach, tools for
collecting data and visibility of findings. The paper concludes with
observations on best practice in the collection, analysis and use of
WBL SSD, thus offering recommendations for both academic
managers and practitioners.
Abstract: To improve the efficiency of parametric studies or
tests planning the method is proposed, that takes into account all input parameters, but only a few simulation runs are performed to
assess the relative importance of each input parameter. For K input
parameters with N input values the total number of possible combinations of input values equals NK. To limit the number of runs,
only some (totally N) of possible combinations are taken into account. The sampling procedure Updated Latin Hypercube
Sampling is used to choose the optimal combinations. To measure the
relative importance of each input parameter, the Spearman rank
correlation coefficient is proposed. The sensitivity and the influence
of all parameters are analyzed within one procedure and the key
parameters with the largest influence are immediately identified.