Abstract: In this paper, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) thin films are deposited on glass substrate by sol-gel method. The ZnO thin films with well defined orientation were acquired by spin coating of zinc acetate dehydrate monoethanolamine (MEA), de-ionized water and isopropanol alcohol. These films were pre-heated at 275°C for 10 min and then annealed at 350°C, 450°C and 550°C for 80 min. The effect of annealing temperature and different thickness on structure and surface morphology of the thin films were verified by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). It was found that there was a significant effect of annealing temperature on the structural parameters of the films such as roughness exponent, fractal dimension and interface width. Thin films also were characterizied by X-ray Diffractometery (XRD) method. XRD analysis revealed that the annealed ZnO thin films consist of single phase ZnO with wurtzite structure and show the c-axis grain orientation. Increasing annealing temperature increased the crystallite size and the c-axis orientation of the film after 450°C. Also In this study, ZnO thin films in different thickness have been prepared by sol-gel method on the glass substrate at room temperature. The thicknesses of films are 100, 150 and 250 nm. Using fractal analysis, morphological characteristics of surface films thickness in amorphous state were investigated. The results show that with increasing thickness, surface roughness (RMS) and lateral correlation length (ξ) are decreased. Also, the roughness exponent (α) and growth exponent (β) were determined to be 0.74±0.02 and 0.11±0.02, respectively.
Abstract: The Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) applied to
Arabic language is a challenging task. This is mainly related to the
language specificities which make the researchers facing multiple
difficulties such as the insufficient linguistic resources and the very
limited number of available transcribed Arabic speech corpora. In
this paper, we are interested in the development of a HMM-based
ASR system for Standard Arabic (SA) language. Our fundamental
research goal is to select the most appropriate acoustic parameters
describing each audio frame, acoustic models and speech recognition
unit. To achieve this purpose, we analyze the effect of varying frame
windowing (size and period), acoustic parameter number resulting
from features extraction methods traditionally used in ASR, speech
recognition unit, Gaussian number per HMM state and number of
embedded re-estimations of the Baum-Welch Algorithm. To evaluate
the proposed ASR system, a multi-speaker SA connected-digits
corpus is collected, transcribed and used throughout all experiments.
A further evaluation is conducted on a speaker-independent continue
SA speech corpus. The phonemes recognition rate is 94.02% which is
relatively high when comparing it with another ASR system
evaluated on the same corpus.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to suggest some optimal
waterfront scales around small rivers by reviewing domestic and
foreign survey reports about concept and relevant systems of the
ecological cities, analyzing the data collected from a survey about
scales and facilities of waterfront green zones around small rivers. The
questionnaire survey was conducted by sampling professional
designers, developers, the citizens living in the GunpoSanbon district
covered by no river system and the citizens living in such districts
covered by a river system. The question items were about need, uses,
scale and facilities of waterfront in common, and about satisfaction
with waterfront in case of citizen groups. In short, most of the subjects
in 5 groups preferred 10~20 wide waterfront green zone. And it is
judged that the results of this study about uses and facilities of the
waterfront green zone and its scales would provide for some basic data
useful to future waterfront green zone and urban development plans.
Abstract: Block replacement algorithms to increase hit ratio
have been extensively used in cache memory management. Among
basic replacement schemes, LRU and FIFO have been shown to be
effective replacement algorithms in terms of hit rates. In this paper,
we introduce a flexible stack-based circuit which can be employed in
hardware implementation of both LRU and FIFO policies. We
propose a simple and efficient architecture such that stack-based
replacement algorithms can be implemented without the drawbacks
of the traditional architectures. The stack is modular and hence, a set
of stack rows can be cascaded depending on the number of blocks in
each cache set. Our circuit can be implemented in conjunction with
the cache controller and static/dynamic memories to form a cache
system. Experimental results exhibit that our proposed circuit
provides an average value of 26% improvement in storage bits and its
maximum operating frequency is increased by a factor of two
Abstract: This paper proposes a novel feature extraction method,
based on Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and K-L Seperability
(KLS), for the classification of Functional Data (FD). This method
combines the decorrelation and reduction property of DWT and the
additive independence property of KLS, which is helpful to extraction
classification features of FD. It is an advanced approach of the
popular wavelet based shrinkage method for functional data reduction
and classification. A theory analysis is given in the paper to prove the
consistent convergence property, and a simulation study is also done
to compare the proposed method with the former shrinkage ones. The
experiment results show that this method has advantages in improving
classification efficiency, precision and robustness.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the performance of a triboelectric separator of plastic mixtures used for recycling. The separator consists of four cylindrical electrodes. The principle behind the separation technique is based on the difference in the Coulomb force acting on the plastic particles after triboelectric charging. The separation of mixtures of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polystyrene (PS) using this method was studied. The effects of the triboelectric charging time and applied voltage on the separation efficiency were investigated. The experimental results confirm that it is possible to obtain a high purity and recovery rate for the initial compositions considered in this study.
Abstract: Zinc borates can be used as multi-functional
synergistic additives with flame retardant additives in polymers. Zinc
borate is white, non-hygroscopic and powder type product. The most
important properties are low solubility in water and high dehydration
temperature. Zinc borates dehydrate above 290°C and anhydrous zinc
borate has thermal resistance about 400°C. Zinc borates can be
synthesized using several methods such as hydrothermal and solidstate
processes. In this study, the solid-state method was applied at
low temperatures of 600oC and 700oC using the starting materials of
ZnO and H3BO3 with several mole ratios. The reaction time was
determined as 4 hours after some preliminary experiments. After the
synthesis, the crystal structure and the morphology of the products
were examined by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform
Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). As a result the forms of ZnB4O7,
Zn3(BO3)2, ZnB2O4 were synthesized and obtained along with the
unreacted ZnO.
Abstract: There was a high rate of corrosion in Pyrolysis
Gasoline Hydrogenation (PGH) unit of Arak Petrochemical Company
(ARPC), and it caused some operational problem in this plant. A
commercial chemical had been used as anti-corrosion in the
depentanizer column overhead in order to control the corrosion rate.
Injection of commercial corrosion inhibitor caused some
operational problems such as fouling in some heat exchangers. It was
proposed to replace this commercial material with another more
effective trouble free, and well-known additive by R&D and
operation specialists.
At first, the system was simulated by commercial simulation
software in electrolytic system to specify low pH points inside the
plant. After a very comprehensive study of the situation and technical
investigations ,ammonia / monoethanol amine solution was proposed
as neutralizer or corrosion inhibitor to be injected in a suitable point
of the plant. For this purpose, the depentanizer column and its
accessories system was simulated again in case of this solution
injection.
According to the simulation results, injection of new anticorrosion
substance has no any side effect on C5 cut product and
operating conditions of the column. The corrosion rate will be
cotrolled, if the pH remains at the range of 6.5 to 8 . Aactual plant
test run was also carried out by injection of ammonia / monoethanol
amine solution at the rate of 0.6 Kg/hr and the results of iron content
of water samples and corrosion test coupons confirmed the
simulation results.
Now, ammonia / monoethanol amine solution is injected to a
suitable pint inside the plant and corrosion rate has decreased
significantly.
Abstract: Complex systems are composed of several plain interacting independent entities. Interaction between these entities creates a unified behavior at the global level that cannot be predicted by examining the behavior of any single individual component of the system. In this paper we consider a welded frame of an automobile trailer as a real example of Complex Technical Systems, The purpose of this paper is to introduce a Statistical method for predicting the life cycle of complex technical systems. To organize gathering of primary data for modeling the life cycle of complex technical systems an “Automobile Trailer Frame" were used as a prototype in this research. The prototype represents a welded structure of several pieces. Both information flows underwent a computerized analysis and classification for the acquisition of final results to reach final recommendations for improving the trailers structure and their operational conditions.
Abstract: The purposes of this study are 1) to study the over 20-year attempt of Mahakan fort community to negotiate with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to remain in their residential area belonging to the state, and 2) to apply the new social and cultural dimension between the state and the community as an alternative for local participation in keeping their residential area. This is a qualitative research, and the findings reveal that the community claimed their ancestors’ right as owners of this piece of land for over 200 years. The community, therefore, requested to take part in the preservation of land, culture and local intellect and the area management in terms of being a learning resource on the cultural road in Rattanakosin Island. However, BMA imposed the law concerning the community area relocation in Rattanakosin Island. The result of law enforcement led to the failure of the area relocation, and the hard hit on physical structure of the area including the overall deterioration of the cultural road renovated in the year 1982, the 200 years’ celebration of Bangkok. The enforcement of law by the state required the move of the community, and the landscape improvement based on the capital city plan. However, this enforcement resulted in the unending conflicts between the community and the state, and the solution of this problem was unclear. At the same time the community has spent a long time opposing the state’s action, and preparing themselves by administrating the community behind Mahakan fortress with community administrative committee under the suggestion of external organization by registering all community members, providing funds for community administration. At the meantime the state lacked the continuation of the enforcement due to political problem and BMA’s administration problem. It is, therefore, suggested that an alternative solution to this problem lie at the negotiation between the state and the community with the purpose of the collaboration between the two to develop the area under the protective law of each side.
Abstract: We employ the idea of Hirota-s bilinear method, to obtain some new exact soliton solutions for high nonlinear form of (2+1)-dimensional potential Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation. Multiple singular soliton solutions were obtained by this method. Moreover, multiple singular soliton solutions were also derived.
Abstract: The Yazd-Ardakan basin in Central Iran has two separated aquifers. The shallow unconfined aquifer is supplies 40 Qanats. The deep saturated confined aquifer is the main water storage. Due to over-withdrawal, water table has been decreasing during last 25 years. Recent study shows that the shortage of the aquifer is about 16 meters and land subsidence is 0.5 - 1.2 meters. Long deep cracks are found just above the aquifer and devour the irrigation water and floods. Although the most cracks direction is NW-SE and could be compared to the main direction of YA basin, there is no direct evidence for relation between land subsidence and the huge cracks. Large-scale water pumping has been decreased the water pressure in aquifer. The pressure decline disturbed the balance and increased the pressure of overlying sediments. So porosity decreased and compaction started. Then, sediments compaction developed and made land subsidence and some huge cracks slowly.
Abstract: Loop detectors report traffic characteristics in real
time. They are at the core of traffic control process. Intuitively,
one would expect that as density of detection increases, so would
the quality of estimates derived from detector data. However, as
detector deployment increases, the associated operating and
maintenance cost increases. Thus, traffic agencies often need to
decide where to add new detectors and which detectors should
continue receiving maintenance, given their resource constraints.
This paper evaluates the effect of detector spacing on freeway
travel time estimation. A freeway section (Interstate-15) in Salt
Lake City metropolitan region is examined. The research reveals
that travel time accuracy does not necessarily deteriorate with
increased detector spacing. Rather, the actual location of detectors
has far greater influence on the quality of travel time estimates.
The study presents an innovative computational approach that
delivers optimal detector locations through a process that relies on
Genetic Algorithm formulation.
Abstract: Large-scale systems such as Grids offer
infrastructures for both data distribution and parallel processing. The
use of Grid infrastructures is a more recent issue that is already
impacting the Distributed Database Management System industry. In
DBMS, distributed query processing has emerged as a fundamental
technique for ensuring high performance in distributed databases.
Database placement is particularly important in large-scale systems
because it reduces communication costs and improves resource
usage. In this paper, we propose a dynamic database placement
policy that depends on query patterns and Grid sites capabilities. We
evaluate the performance of the proposed database placement policy
using simulations. The obtained results show that dynamic database
placement can significantly improve the performance of distributed
query processing.
Abstract: Accurate and comprehensive thermodynamic properties of pure and mixture of refrigerants are in demand by both producers and users of these materials. Information about thermodynamic properties is important initially to qualify potential candidates for working fluids in refrigeration machinery. From practical point of view, Refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures are widely used as working fluids in many industrial applications, such as refrigerators, heat pumps, and power plants The present work is devoted to evaluating seven cubic equations of state (EOS) in predicting gas and liquid phase volumetric properties of nine ozone-safe refrigerants both in super and sub-critical regions. The evaluations, in sub-critical region, show that TWU and PR EOS are capable of predicting PVT properties of refrigerants R32 within 2%, R22, R134a, R152a and R143a within 1% and R123, R124, R125, TWU and PR EOS's, from literature data are 0.5% for R22, R32, R152a, R143a, and R125, 1% for R123, R134a, and R141b, and 2% for R124. Moreover, SRK EOS predicts PVT properties of R22, R125, and R123 to within aforementioned errors. The remaining EOS's predicts volumetric properties of this class of fluids with higher errors than those above mentioned which are at most 8%.In general, the results are in favor of the preference of TWU and PR EOS over other remaining EOS's in predicting densities of all mentioned refrigerants in both super and sub critical regions. Typically, this refrigerant is known to offer advantages such as ozone depleting potential equal to zero, Global warming potential equal to 140, and no toxic.
Abstract: In production of medicinal plants, seed germination is
very important problem. The treated seeds (control, hydro priming
and ZnSO4) of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) were evaluated at
germination and seedling growth for tolerance to salt (NaCl and
Na2SO4) conditions at the same water potentials of 0.0, -0.3, -0.6, -
0.9 and -1.2MPa. Electrical conductivity (EC) values of the NaCl
solutions were 0.0, 6.5, 12.7, 18.4 and 23.5 dSm-1, respectively. The
objective of the study was to determine factors responsible for
germination and early seedling growth due to salt toxicity or osmotic
effect and to optimize the best priming treatment for these stress
conditions. Results revealed that germination delayed in both
solutions, having variable germination with different priming
treatments. Germination, shoot and weight, root and shoot length
were higher but mean germination time and abnormal germination
percentage were lower in NaCl than Na2SO4 at the same water
potential. The root / shoot weight and R/S length increased with
increase in osmotic potential in both NaCl and Na2SO4 solutions.
NaCl had less inhibitor effect on seedling growth than the
germination. It was concluded that inhibition of germination at the
same water potential of NaCl and Na2SO4 resulted from salt toxicity
rather than osmotic effect. Hydro priming increased germination and
seedling growth under salt stress. This protocol has practical
importance and could be recommended to farmers to achieve higher
germination and uniform emergence under field conditions.
Abstract: Emerging adulthood, the new period which is
especially prevalent in the developed or industrialized countries
during ages 18 to 29, is a new conceptualization proposed by Arnett.
Intimacy is a superordinate concept which includes intimate
interaction and intimate relationship. This study includes two
proceses which are scale development and conduction of gender
differences about markers of starting romantic intimacy among
Turkish emerging adults. In first process, Markers of Starting
Romantic Intimacy Scale, with 17 items and 5 factors, was developed
using by 220 participants. In the second step, the scale was
administered to 318 Turkish male and female emerging adults
between ages 22 and 25. Results show that there is no significant
difference between gender and total score of the scale. With respect
to gender, there are significant differences between gender and in
four subscales which are self perception, affective and cognitive
intimacy, self knowledge and romantic verbalizations. Moreover,
there is no significant relationship between gender and behavioral
intimacy subscale.
Abstract: As a matter of the fact that online social networks like
Twitter, Facebook and MySpace have experienced an extensive
growth in recent years. Social media offers individuals with a tool for
communicating and interacting with one another. These social
networks enable people to stay in touch with other people and
express themselves. This process makes the users of online social
networks active creators of content rather than being only consumers
of traditional media. That’s why millions of people show strong
desire to learn the methods and tools of digital content production
and necessary communication skills. However, the booming interest
in communication and interaction through online social networks and
high level of eagerness to invent and implement the ways to
participate in content production raise some privacy and security
concerns.
This presentation aims to open the assumed revolutionary,
democratic and liberating nature of the online social media up for
discussion by reviewing some recent political developments in
Turkey. Firstly, the role of Internet and online social networks in
mobilizing collective movements through social interactions and
communications will be questioned. Secondly, some cases from Gezi
and Okmeydanı Protests and also December 17-25 period will be
presented in order to illustrate misinformation and manipulation in
social media and violation of individual privacy through online social
networks in order to damage social unity and stability contradictory
to democratic nature of online social networking.
Abstract: The purpose is to study the model and characteristic of
participation of the suitable community to lead to develop permanent
water marketing in Bang Noi Floating Market, Bangkonti District,
Samutsongkhram Province. A total of 342 survey questionnaire was
administered to potential respondents. The researchers interviewed
the leader of the community. Appreciation Influence Control (AIC)
was used to talk with 20 villagers on arena. The findings revealed
that overall, most people had the middle level of the participation in
developing the durable Bang Noi Floating Market, Bangkonti,
Samutsongkhram Province and in aspects of gaining benefits from
developing it with atmosphere and a beautiful view for tourism. For
example, the landscape is beautiful with public utilities. The
participation in preserving and developing Bang Noi Floating Market
remains in the former way of life. The basic factor of person affects
to the participation of people such as age, level of education, career,
and income per month. Most participants are the original hosts that
have houses and shops located in the marketing and neighbor. These
people involve with the benefits and have the power to make a water
marketing strategy, the major role to set the information database. It
also found that the leader and the villagers play the important role in
setting a five-physical database. Data include level of information
such as position of village, territory of village, road, river, and
premises. Information of culture consists of a two-level of
information, interesting point, and Itinerary. The information occurs
from presenting and practicing by the leader and villagers in the
community.All of phases are presented for listening and investigating
database together in both the leader and villagers in the process of
participation.
Abstract: This paper addresses modeling and optimization of process parameters in powder mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM). The process output characteristics include metal removal rate (MRR) and electrode wear rate (EWR). Grain size of Aluminum powder (S), concentration of the powder (C), discharge current (I) pulse on time (T) are chosen as control variables to study the process performance. The experimental results are used to develop the regression models based on second order polynomial equations for the different process characteristics. Then, a genetic algorithm (GA) has been employed to determine optimal process parameters for any desired output values of machining characteristics.