Abstract: Software Reliability is one of the key factors in the software development process. Software Reliability is estimated using reliability models based on Non Homogenous Poisson Process. In most of the literature the Software Reliability is predicted only in testing phase. So it leads to wrong decision-making concept. In this paper, two Software Reliability concepts, testing and operational phase are studied in detail. Using S-Shaped Software Reliability Growth Model (SRGM) and Exponential SRGM, the testing and operational reliability values are obtained. Finally two reliability values are compared and optimal release time is investigated.
Abstract: The relics of traditional folk culture in Kazakhstan are ceremonies or their fragments - such as weddings, funerals, shamanism. The world of spiritual creatures, spirits-protectors, spirits-helpers, injury spirits, spirits of illnesses, etc., is described in detail in shamanic rites (in Kazakh culture it is called bakslyk). The study of these displays of folk culture, which reflect the peoples` ethnic mentality or notions about the structure, values and hierarchies of the universe, includes collection and recording of the field materials and their interpretation, i.e. reconstruction of those meanings which were initially embodied or “coded" in folklore. A distinctive feature of Kazakh nomadic culture is its self-preservation and actualization, almost untouched the ancient mythologies of the world, in particular, the mythologies connected with music, musical instruments and the creator of music. Within the frameworks of the traditional culture the word and the music keep the sacral meaning. The ritual melodies and what they carry – the holly, and at the same time unexplored, powerful and threatening, uncontrolled by people world – keep on attributing the soul to all, connected with culture.
Abstract: There are various approaches to implement quality
improvements. Organizations aim for a management standard which
is capable of providing customers with quality assurance on their
product/service via continuous process improvement. Carefully
planned steps are necessary to ensure the right quality improvement
methodology (QIM) and business operations are consistent, reliable
and truly meet the customers' needs. This paper traces the evolution
of QIM in Malaysia-s Information Technology (IT) industry in the
past, current and future; and highlights some of the thought of
researchers who contributed to the science and practice of quality,
and identifies leading methodologies in use today. Some of the
misconceptions and mistakes leading to quality system failures will
also be examined and discussed. This paper aims to provide a general
overview of different types of QIMs available for IT businesses in
maximizing business advantages, enhancing product quality,
improving process routines and increasing performance earnings.
Abstract: The effects of different parameters on the
hydrodynamics of trickle bed reactors were discussed for Newtonian
and non-Newtonian foaming systems. The varying parameters are
varying liquid velocities, gas flow velocities and surface tension. The
range for gas velocity is particularly large, thanks to the use of dense
gas to simulate very high pressure conditions. This data bank has
been used to compare the prediction accuracy of the different
trendlines and transition points from the literature. More than 240
experimental points for the trickle flow (GCF) and foaming pulsing
flow (PF/FPF) regime were obtained for present study.
Hydrodynamic characteristics involving dynamic liquid saturation
significantly influenced by gas and liquid flow rates. For 15 and 30
ppm air-aqueous surfactant solutions, dynamic liquid saturation
decreases with higher liquid and gas flow rates considerably in high
interaction regime. With decrease in surface tension i.e. for 45 and 60
ppm air-aqueous surfactant systems, effect was more pronounced
with decreases dynamic liquid saturation very sharply during regime
transition significantly at both low liquid and gas flow rates.
Abstract: In this paper we present an efficient method for inverting an ideal in the ideal class group of a Cab curve by extending the method which is presented in [3]. More precisely we introduce a useful generator for the inverse ideal as a K[X]-module.
Abstract: Green Lean Total Quality Management (LTQM) Human Resource Management (HRM) System is a system comprises of HRM in Environmental Management System (EMS) practices which is integrated to TQM with Lean Manufacturing (LM) principles. HRM is essential especially in dealing with low motivation and less productive employees. The ultimate goal of this system is to focus on achieving total human resource development that is motivated and capable to optimize their creativity to be a part of Green and Lean TQM organization. A survey questionnaire was developed and distributed to 30 highly active automotive vendors in Malaysia and analyzed by Minitab v16 and SPSS v17. It was found out companies that are practicing Green LTQM HRM practices have generated more revenue and have RND capability. However, years of company establishment do not affect the openness of the company to adapt new initiatives that can help to improve the effectiveness of the operations. It was also found out the importance of training, communication and rewards for employees. The Green LTQM HRM practices framework model established in this study hopefully will give preliminary insight especially to companies that are still looking for system that can improve their productivity from managing human resource. This is preliminary study that combined 4 awards practices, ISO/TS16949, Toyota Production System SAEJ4000, MAJAICO Lean Production System and EMS focusing on highly active companies that have been involved in MAJAICO Program and Proton Vendor Development Program. Future study can be conducted to know the status at other industry as well as case study pertaining to this system.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of blood viscosity on the radial pulse wave. For this, we obtained the radial pulse wave of 15 males with abnormal high hematocrit level and 47 males with normal hematocrit level at the age of thirties and forties. Various variables of the radial pulse wave between two groups were analyzed and compared by Student's T test. There are significant differences in several variables about height, time and area of the pulse wave. The first peak of the radial pulse wave was higher in abnormal high hematocrit group, but the third peak was higher and longer in normal hematocrit group. Our results suggest that the radial pulse wave can be used for diagnosis of high blood viscosity and more clinical application.
Abstract: This paper investigates the activity of the
gastrocnemius (Gas) muscle in healthy subjects during salat (ruku-
position) and specific exercise [Unilateral Plantar Flexion Exercise
(UPFE)] using electromyography (EMG). Both lateral and medial
Gas muscles were assessed. A group of undergraduates aged between
19 to 25 years voluntarily participated in this study. The myoelectric
activity of the muscles were recorded and analyzed. The finding
indicated that there were contractions of the muscles during the salat
and exercise with almost same EMG-s level. From the result,
Wilcoxon-s Rank Sum test showed no significant difference between
ruku- and UPFE for both medial (p=0.082) and lateral (p=0.226) of
GAS muscles. Therefore, salat may be useful in strengthening
exercise and also in rehabilitation programs for lower limb activities.
Abstract: This paper presents recent work on the improvement
of the robotics vision based control strategy for underwater pipeline
tracking system. The study focuses on developing image processing
algorithms and a fuzzy inference system for the analysis of the
terrain. The main goal is to implement the supervisory fuzzy learning
control technique to reduce the errors on navigation decision due to
the pipeline occlusion problem. The system developed is capable of
interpreting underwater images containing occluded pipeline, seabed
and other unwanted noise. The algorithm proposed in previous work
does not explore the cooperation between fuzzy controllers,
knowledge and learnt data to improve the outputs for underwater
pipeline tracking. Computer simulations and prototype simulations
demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. The system accuracy
level has also been discussed.
Abstract: Early supplier involvement (ESI) benefits new
product development projects several ways. Nevertheless, many castuser
companies do not know the advantages of ESI and therefore do
not utilize it. This paper presents reasons why to utilize ESI in
casting industry and how that can be done. Further, this paper
presents advantages and challenges related to ESI in casting industry,
and introduces a Casting-Network Collaboration Model. The model
presents practices for companies to build advantageous collaborative
relationships. More detailed, the model describes three levels for
company-network relationships in casting industry with different
degrees of collaboration, and requirements for operating in each
level. In our research, ESI was found to influence, for example, on
project time, component cost, and quality. In addition, challenges
related to ESI, such as, a lack of mutual trust and unawareness about
the advantages were found. Our research approach was a case study
including four cases.
Abstract: In this research sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) was introduced to generate carbon dioxide gas (CO2) to the existing nitrogen gas (N2) of elastomeric foam, to lower thermal conductivity (K). Various loadings of NaHCO3 (0 to 60 phr) were added into the azodicarbonamide (AZC)-containing compound and its properties were then determined. Two vulcanization methods, i.e., hot air and infrared (IR), were employed and compared in this study. Results revealed that compound viscosity tended to increase slightly with increasing NaHCO3 content but cure time was delayed. The effect of NaHCO3 content on thermal conductivity depended on the vulcanization method. For hot air method, the thermal conductivity was insignificantly changed with increasing NaHCO3 up to 40 phr whereas it tended to decrease gradually for IR method. At higher NaHCO3 content (60 phr), unexpected increase of thermal conductivity was observed. The water absorption was also determined and foam structures were then used to explain the results.
Abstract: In this study, hydroxyapatite (HA) composites are
prepared on addition of 30%CaO-30%P2O5-40%Na2 O based glass to
pure HA, in proportion of 2, 5, and 10 wt %. Each composition was
sintered over a range of temperatures. The quantitative phase
analysis was carried out using XRD and the microstructures were
studied using SEM. The density, microhardness, and compressive
strength have shown increase with the increasing amount of glass
addition. The resulting composites have chemical compositions that
are similar to the inorganic constituent of the mineral part of bone,
and constitutes trace elements like Na. X-ray diffraction showed no
decomposition of HA to secondary phases, however, the glass
reinforced-HA composites contained a HA phase and variable
amounts of tricalcium phosphate phase, depending on the amount of
bioglass added. The HA-composite material exhibited higher
compressive strength compared to sintered HA. The HA composite
reinforced with 10 wt % bioglass showed highest bioactivity level.
Abstract: Based on experimental data using accelerometry technology there was developed an analytical model that approximates human induced ground reaction forces in vertical, longitudinal and lateral directions ascending and descending the stairs. Proposed dynamic loading factors and corresponding phase shifts for the first five harmonics of continuous walking force history in case of stair ascend and descend. Into account is taken imperfectness of individual footfall forcing functions, differences between continuous walking force histories among individuals. There is proposed mean synthetic continuous walking force history that can be used in numerical simulations of human movement on the stairs.
Abstract: In this paper, a Cooperative Multi-robot for Carrying
Targets (CMCT) algorithm is proposed. The multi-robot team
consists of three robots, one is a supervisor and the others are
workers for carrying boxes in a store of 100×100 m2. Each robot has
a self recharging mechanism. The CMCT minimizes robot-s worked
time for carrying many boxes during day by working in parallel. That
is, the supervisor detects the required variables in the same time
another robots work with previous variables. It works with
straightforward mechanical models by using simple cosine laws. It
detects the robot-s shortest path for reaching the target position
avoiding obstacles by using a proposed CMCT path planning
(CMCT-PP) algorithm. It prevents the collision between robots
during moving. The robots interact in an ad hoc wireless network.
Simulation results show that the proposed system that consists of
CMCT algorithm and its accomplished CMCT-PP algorithm
achieves a high improvement in time and distance while performing
the required tasks over the already existed algorithms.
Abstract: Economic dispatch (ED) has been considered to be one of the key functions in electric power system operation which can help to build up effective generating management plans. The practical ED problem has non-smooth cost function with nonlinear constraints which make it difficult to be effectively solved. This paper presents a novel heuristic and efficient optimization approach based on the new Bat algorithm (BA) to solve the practical non-smooth economic dispatch problem. The proposed algorithm easily takes care of different constraints. In addition, two newly introduced modifications method is developed to improve the variety of the bat population when increasing the convergence speed simultaneously. The simulation results obtained by the proposed algorithms are compared with the results obtained using other recently develop methods available in the literature.
Abstract: pH-sensitive drug targeting using nanoparticles for
cancer chemotherapy have been spotlighted in recent decades. Graft
copolymer composed of poly (L-histidine) (PHS) and dextran
(DexPHS) was synthesized and pH-sensitive nanoparticles were
fabricated for pH-responsive drug delivery of doxorubicin (DOX).
Nanoparticles of DexPHS showed pH-sensitive changes in particle
sizes and drug release behavior, i.e. particle sizes and drug release rate
were increased at acidic pH, indicating that DexPHS nanoparticles
have pH-sensitive drug delivery potentials. Antitumor activity of
DOX-incorporated DexPHS nanoparticles were studied using CT26
colorectal carcinoma cells. Results indicated that fluorescence
intensity was higher at acidic pH than basic pH. These results
indicated that DexPHS nanoparticles have pH-responsive drug
targeting.
Abstract: The presence of heavy metals in the environment
could constitute a hazard to food security and public health. These
can be accumulated in aquatic animals such as fish. Samples of four
popular brands of canned fish in the Iranian market (yellowfin tuna,
common Kilka, Kawakawa and longtail tuna) were analyzed for level
of Cr after wet digestion with acids using graphite furnace atomic
absorption spectrophotometry. The mean concentrations for Cr in the
different brands were: 2.57, 3.24, 3.16 and 1.65 μg/g for brands A, B,
C and D respectively. Significant differences were observed in the Cr
levels between all of the different brands of canned fish evaluated in
this study. The Cr concentrations for the varieties of canned fishes
were generally within the FAO/WHO, U.S. FDA and U.S. EPA
recommended limits for fish.
Abstract: In this paper, we present optimal control for
movement and trajectory planning for four degrees-of-freedom robot
using Fuzzy Logic (FL) and Genetic Algorithms (GAs). We have
evaluated using Fuzzy Logic (FL) and Genetic Algorithms (GAs)
for four degree-of-freedom (4 DOF) robotics arm, Uncertainties like;
Movement, Friction and Settling Time in robotic arm movement
have been compensated using Fuzzy logic and Genetic Algorithms.
The development of a fuzzy genetic optimization algorithm is
presented and discussed. The result are compared only GA and
Fuzzy GA. This paper describes genetic algorithms, which is
designed to optimize robot movement and trajectory. Though the
model represents is a general model for redundant structures and
could represent any n-link structures. The result is a complete
trajectory planning with Fuzzy logic and Genetic algorithms
demonstrating the flexibility of this technique of artificial
intelligence.
Abstract: A way of generating millimeter wave I/Q signal using inductive resonator matched poly-phase filter is suggested. Normally the poly-phase filter generates quite accurate I/Q phase and magnitude but the loss of the filter is considerable due to series connection of passive RC components. This loss term directly increases system noise figure when the poly-phase filter is used in RF Front-end. The proposed matching method eliminates above mentioned loss and in addition provides gain on the passive filter. The working algorithm is illustrated by mathematical analysis. The generated I/Q signal is used in implementing millimeter wave phase shifter for the 60 GHz communication system to verify its effectiveness. The circuit is fabricated in 90 nm TSMC RF CMOS process under 1.2 V supply voltage. The measurement results showed that the suggested method improved gain by 6.5 dB and noise by 2.3 dB. The summary of the proposed I/Q generation is compared with previous works.
Abstract: With the rapid growth in business size, today's businesses orient towards electronic technologies. Amazon.com and e-bay.com are some of the major stakeholders in this regard. Unfortunately the enormous size and hugely unstructured data on the web, even for a single commodity, has become a cause of ambiguity for consumers. Extracting valuable information from such an everincreasing data is an extremely tedious task and is fast becoming critical towards the success of businesses. Web content mining can play a major role in solving these issues. It involves using efficient algorithmic techniques to search and retrieve the desired information from a seemingly impossible to search unstructured data on the Internet. Application of web content mining can be very encouraging in the areas of Customer Relations Modeling, billing records, logistics investigations, product cataloguing and quality management. In this paper we present a review of some very interesting, efficient yet implementable techniques from the field of web content mining and study their impact in the area specific to business user needs focusing both on the customer as well as the producer. The techniques we would be reviewing include, mining by developing a knowledge-base repository of the domain, iterative refinement of user queries for personalized search, using a graphbased approach for the development of a web-crawler and filtering information for personalized search using website captions. These techniques have been analyzed and compared on the basis of their execution time and relevance of the result they produced against a particular search.