Abstract: Virtualization-based server consolidation has been
proven to be an ideal technique to solve the server sprawl problem by
consolidating multiple virtualized servers onto a few physical servers
leading to improved resource utilization and return on investment. In
this paper, we solve this problem by using existing servers, which are
heterogeneous and diversely preferred by IT managers. Five practical
consolidation rules are introduced, and a decision model is proposed to
optimally allocate source services to physical target servers while
maximizing the average resource utilization and preference value. Our
model can be regarded as a multi-objective multi-dimension
bin-packing (MOMDBP) problem with constraints, which is strongly
NP-hard. An improved grouping generic algorithm (GGA) is
introduced for the problem. Extensive simulations were performed and
the results are given.
Abstract: The chemistry of sulphone hydrazide has gained increase interest in both synthetic organic chemistry and biological fields and has considerable value. The therapeutic importance of these compounds is the attractive force to continue research in such a point. The present review covers the literature up to date for the synthesis, reactions and applications of such compounds.
Abstract: This paper aims to improve a fine lapping process of
hard disk drive (HDD) lapping machines by removing materials from
each slider together with controlling the strip height (SH) variation to
minimum value. The standard deviation is the key parameter to
evaluate the strip height variation, hence it is minimized. In this
paper, a design of experiment (DOE) with factorial analysis by twoway
analysis of variance (ANOVA) is adopted to obtain a
statistically information. The statistics results reveal that initial stripe
height patterns affect the final SH variation. Therefore, initial SH
classification using a radial basis function neural network is
implemented to achieve the proportional gain prediction.
Abstract: Bubble generation was observed using a high-speed
camera in subcooled flow boiling at low void fraction. Constant heat
flux was applied on one side of an upward rectangular channel to
make heated test channel. Water as a working fluid from high
subcooling to near saturation temperature was injected step by step to
investigate bubble behavior during void development. Experiments
were performed in two different pressures condition close to 2bar and
4bar. It was observed that in high subcooling when boiling was
commenced, bubble after nucleation departed its origin and slid
beside heated surface. In an observation window mean release
frequency of bubble fb,mean, nucleation site Ns and mean bubble
volume Vb,mean in each step of experiments were measured to
investigate wall vaporization rate. It was found that in proximity of
PNVG vaporization rate was increased significantly in compare with
condensation rate which remained in low value.
Abstract: Cellular automata have been used for design of cryptosystems. Recently some secret sharing schemes based on linear memory cellular automata have been introduced which are used for both text and image. In this paper, we illustrate that these secret sharing schemes are vulnerable to dishonest participants- collusion. We propose a cheating model for the secret sharing schemes based on linear memory cellular automata. For this purpose we present a novel uniform model for representation of all secret sharing schemes based on cellular automata. Participants can cheat by means of sending bogus shares or bogus transition rules. Cheaters can cooperate to corrupt a shared secret and compute a cheating value added to it. Honest participants are not aware of cheating and suppose the incorrect secret as the valid one. We prove that cheaters can recover valid secret by removing the cheating value form the corrupted secret. We provide methods of calculating the cheating value.
Abstract: In this paper the multi-mode resource-constrained project scheduling problem with discounted cash flows is considered. Minimizing the makespan and maximization the net present value (NPV) are the two common objectives that have been investigated in the literature. We apply one evolutionary algorithm named multiobjective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) to find Pareto front solutions. We used standard sets of instances from the project scheduling problem library (PSPLIB). The results are computationally compared respect to different metrics taken from the literature on evolutionary multi-objective optimization.
Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter for applications involving a
source with widely varying voltage conditions with loads requiring
constant voltage from full load down to no load is presented.
The switching regulator considered is a Buck converter with Pulse
Skipping Modulation control whereby pulses applied to the switch
are blocked or released on output voltage crossing a predetermined
value. Results of the study on the performance of regulator circuit
are presented. The regulator regulates over a wide input voltage range
with slightly higher ripple content and good transient response. Input
current spectrum indicates a good EMI performance with crowding
of components at low frequency range.
Abstract: An integrated vehicle dynamics control system is developed in this paper by a combination of active front steering (AFS) and direct yaw-moment control (DYC) based on fuzzy logic control. The control system has a hierarchical structure consisting of two layers. A fuzzy logic controller is used in the upper layer (yaw rate controller) to keep the yaw rate in its desired value. The yaw rate error and its rate of change are applied to the upper controlling layer as inputs, where the direct yaw moment control signal and the steering angle correction of the front wheels are the outputs. In the lower layer (fuzzy integrator), a fuzzy logic controller is designed based on the working region of the lateral tire forces. Depending on the directions of the lateral forces at the front wheels, a switching function is activated to adjust the scaling factor of the fuzzy logic controller. Using a nonlinear seven degrees of freedom vehicle model, the simulation results illustrate considerable improvements which are achieved in vehicle handling through the integrated AFS/DYC control system in comparison with the individual AFS or DYC controllers.
Abstract: Service innovations are central concerns in fast
changing environment. Due to the fitness in customer demands and
advances in information technologies (IT) in service management, an
expanded conceptualization of e-service innovation is required.
Specially, innovation practices have become increasingly more
challenging, driving managers to employ a different open innovation
model to maintain competitive advantages. At the same time, firms
need to interact with external and internal customers in innovative
environments, like the open innovation networks, to co-create values.
Based on these issues, an important conceptual framework of e-service
innovation is developed. This paper aims to examine the contributing
factors on e-service innovation and firm performance, including
financial and non-financial aspects. The study concludes by showing
how e-service innovation will play a significant role in growing the
overall values of the firm. The discussion and conclusion will lead to a
stronger understanding of e-service innovation and co-creating values
with customers within open innovation networks.
Abstract: This paper presents development of an ignition system using spark electrodes for application in a research explosion vessel.
A single spark is aimed to be discharged with quantifiable ignition energy. The spark electrode system would enable study of flame
propagation, ignitability of fuel-air mixtures and other fundamental characteristics of flames. The principle of the capacitive spark circuit
of ASTM is studied to charge an appropriate capacitance connected across the spark gap through a large resistor by a high voltage from
the source of power supply until the initiation of spark. Different spark energies could be obtained mainly by varying the value of the
capacitance and the supply current. The spark sizes produced are found to be affected by the spark gap, electrode size, input voltage
and capacitance value.
Abstract: A modified Genetic Algorithm (GA) based optimal selection of parameters for Automatic Generation Control (AGC) of multi-area electric energy systems is proposed in this paper. Simulations on multi-area reheat thermal system with and without consideration of nonlinearity like governor dead band followed by 1% step load perturbation is performed to exemplify the optimum parameter search. In this proposed method, a modified Genetic Algorithm is proposed where one point crossover with modification is employed. Positional dependency in respect of crossing site helps to maintain diversity of search point as well as exploitation of already known optimum value. This makes a trade-off between exploration and exploitation of search space to find global optimum in less number of generations. The proposed GA along with decomposition technique as developed has been used to obtain the optimum megawatt frequency control of multi-area electric energy systems. Time-domain simulations are conducted with trapezoidal integration along with decomposition technique. The superiority of the proposed method over existing one is verified from simulations and comparisons.
Abstract: This paper presents a particle swarm optimization
(PSO) based approach for multiple object tracking based on histogram
matching. To start with, gray-level histograms are calculated to
establish a feature model for each of the target object. The difference
between the gray-level histogram corresponding to each particle in the
search space and the target object is used as the fitness value. Multiple
swarms are created depending on the number of the target objects
under tracking. Because of the efficiency and simplicity of the PSO
algorithm for global optimization, target objects can be tracked as
iterations continue. Experimental results confirm that the proposed
PSO algorithm can rapidly converge, allowing real-time tracking of
each target object. When the objects being tracked move outside the
tracking range, global search capability of the PSO resumes to re-trace
the target objects.
Abstract: This paper proposes a new design of spatial FIR
filter to automatically detect water level from a video signal of
various river surroundings. A new approach in this report applies
"addition" of frames and a "horizontal" edge detector to distinguish
water region and land region. Variance of each line of a filtered
video frame is used as a feature value. The water level is recognized
as a boundary line between the land region and the water region.
Edge detection filter essentially demarcates between two distinctly
different regions. However, the conventional filters are not
automatically adaptive to detect water level in various lighting
conditions of river scenery. An optimized filter is purposed so that
the system becomes robust to changes of lighting condition. More
reliability of the proposed system with the optimized filter is
confirmed by accuracy of water level detection.
Abstract: Innovation is more important in any companies.
However, it is not easy to measure the innovation performance
correctly. Patent is one of measuring index nowadays. This paper
wants to purpose an approach for valuing patents based on market
reaction to patent infringement litigations. The interesting
phenomenon is found from collection of patent infringement litigation
events. That is if any patent litigation event occurs the stock value will
follow changing. The plaintiffs- stock value raises some percentage.
According to this interesting phenomenon, the relationship between
patent litigation and stock value is tested and verified. And then, the
stock value variation is used to deduce the infringed patents- value.
The purpose of this study is providing another concept model to
evaluate the infringed patents. This study can provide a decision assist
system to help drafting patent litigation strategy and determine the
technology value
Abstract: A measurement system for pH array sensors is
introduced to increase accuracy, and decrease non-ideal effects
successfully. An array readout circuit reads eight potentiometric
signals at the same time, and obtains an average value. The deviation
value or the extreme value is counteracted and the output voltage is a
relatively stable value. The errors of measuring pH buffer solutions are
decreased obviously with this measurement system, and the non-ideal
effects, drift and hysteresis, are lowered to 1.638mV/hr and 1.118mV,
respectively. The efficiency and stability are better than single sensor.
The whole sensing characteristics are improved.
Abstract: Nowadays, without the awareness of consumer
behavior and correct understanding of it, it is not possible for organizations to take appropriate measures to meet the consumer
needs and demands. The aim of this paper is the identification and
prioritization of the factors affecting the consumer behavior based on
the product value. The population of the study includes all the
consumers of furniture producing firms in East Azarbaijan province,
Iran. The research sample includes 93 people selected by the sampling formula in unlimited population. The data collection
instrument was a questionnaire, the validity of which was confirmed
through face validity and the reliability of which was determined,
using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The Kolmogorov-Smironov test
was used to test data normality, the t-test for identification of factors
affecting the product value, and Friedman test for prioritizing the
factors. The results show that quality, satisfaction, styling, price, finishing operation, performance, safety, worth, shape, use, and
excellence are placed from 1 to 11 priorities, respectively.
Abstract: Abdominal aortic aneurysms rupture (AAAs) is one of the main causes of death in the world. This is a very complex phenomenon that usually occurs “without previous warning". Currently, criteria to assess the aneurysm rupture risk (peak diameter and growth rate) can not be considered as reliable indicators. In a first approach, the main geometric parameters of aneurysms have been linked into five biomechanical factors. These are combined to obtain a dimensionless rupture risk index, RI(t), which has been validated preliminarily with a clinical case and others from literature. This quantitative indicator is easy to understand, it allows estimating the aneurysms rupture risks and it is expected to be able to identify the one in aneurysm whose peak diameter is less than the threshold value. Based on initial results, a broader study has begun with twelve patients from the Clinic Hospital of Valladolid-Spain, which are submitted to periodic follow-up examinations.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to support the application of Open Innovation practices in firms and organizations by the assessment and management of Intellectual Capital. Intellectual Capital constituents are analyzed in order to verify their capability of acting as key drivers of Open Innovation processes and, therefore, of creating value. A methodology is defined to settle a procedure which helps to select the most relevant Intellectual Capital value drivers and to provide Communities of Innovation with strategic and managerial guidelines in sustaining Open Innovation paradigm. An application of the methodology is developed within a specifically addressed project and its results are hereafter examined.
Abstract: In this work, we propose a hybrid heuristic in order to
solve the Team Orienteering Problem (TOP). Given a set of points (or
customers), each with associated score (profit or benefit), and a team
that has a fixed number of members, the problem to solve is to visit a
subset of points in order to maximize the total collected score. Each
member performs a tour starting at the start point, visiting distinct
customers and the tour terminates at the arrival point. In addition,
each point is visited at most once, and the total time in each tour
cannot be greater than a given value. The proposed heuristic combines
beam search and a local optimization strategy. The algorithm was
tested on several sets of instances and encouraging results were
obtained.
Abstract: This paper presents the application of a signal intensity independent registration criterion for non-rigid body registration of medical images. The criterion is defined as the weighted ratio image of two images. The ratio is computed on a voxel per voxel basis and weighting is performed by setting the ratios between signal and background voxels to a standard high value. The mean squared value of the weighted ratio is computed over the union of the signal areas of the two images and it is minimized using the Chebyshev polynomial approximation. The geometric transformation model adopted is a local cubic B-splines based model.