Abstract: Decisions are regularly made during a project or
daily life. Some decisions are critical and have a direct impact on
project or human success. Formal evaluation is thus required,
especially for crucial decisions, to arrive at the optimal solution
among alternatives to address issues. According to microeconomic
theory, all people-s decisions can be modeled as indifference curves.
The proposed approach supports formal analysis and decision by
constructing indifference curve model from the previous experts-
decision criteria. These knowledge embedded in the system can be
reused or help naïve users select alternative solution of the similar
problem. Moreover, the method is flexible to cope with unlimited
number of factors influencing the decision-making. The preliminary
experimental results of the alternative selection are accurately
matched with the expert-s decisions.
Abstract: In many cases, there are some time lag between the consumption of inputs and the production of outputs. This time lag effect should be considered in evaluating the performance of organizations. Recently, a couple of DEA models were developed for considering time lag effect in efficiency evaluation of research activities. Multi-periods input(MpI) and Multi-periods output(MpO) models are integrate models to calculate simple efficiency considering time lag effect. However, these models can’t discriminate efficient DMUs because of the nature of basic DEA model in which efficiency scores are limited to ‘1’. That is, efficient DMUs can’t be discriminated because their efficiency scores are same. Thus, this paper suggests a super-efficiency model for efficiency evaluation under the consideration of time lag effect based on the MpO model. A case example using a long term research project is given to compare the suggested model with the MpO model.
Abstract: In this paper we present a new approach to deal with
image segmentation. The fact that a single segmentation result do not
generally allow a higher level process to take into account all the
elements included in the image has motivated the consideration of
image segmentation as a multiobjective optimization problem. The
proposed algorithm adopts a split/merge strategy that uses the result
of the k-means algorithm as input for a quantum evolutionary
algorithm to establish a set of non-dominated solutions. The
evaluation is made simultaneously according to two distinct features:
intra-region homogeneity and inter-region heterogeneity. The
experimentation of the new approach on natural images has proved
its efficiency and usefulness.
Abstract: This article describes Uruk, the virtual museum of
Iraq that we developed for visual exploration and retrieval of image
collections. The system largely exploits the loosely-structured
hierarchy of XML documents that provides a useful representation
method to store semi-structured or unstructured data, which does not
easily fit into existing database. The system offers users the
capability to mine and manage the XML-based image collections
through a web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI). Typically, at an
interactive session with the system, the user can browse a visual
structural summary of the XML database in order to select interesting
elements. Using this intermediate result, queries combining structure
and textual references can be composed and presented to the system.
After query evaluation, the full set of answers is presented in a visual
and structured way.
Abstract: This paper proposes a method that predicts attractive
evaluation objects. In the learning phase, the method inductively
acquires trend rules from complex sequential data. The data is
composed of two types of data. One is numerical sequential data.
Each evaluation object has respective numerical sequential data. The
other is text sequential data. Each evaluation object is described in
texts. The trend rules represent changes of numerical values related
to evaluation objects. In the prediction phase, the method applies
new text sequential data to the trend rules and evaluates which
evaluation objects are attractive. This paper verifies the effect of the
proposed method by using stock price sequences and news headline
sequences. In these sequences, each stock brand corresponds to an
evaluation object. This paper discusses validity of predicted attractive
evaluation objects, the process time of each phase, and the possibility
of application tasks.
Abstract: Groundwater is one of the most important water
resources in Fars province. Based on this study, 95 percent of the
total annual water consumption in Fars is used for agriculture,
whereas the percentages for domestic and industrial uses are 4 and 1
percent, respectively. Population growth, urban and industrial
growth, and agricultural development in Fars have created a
condition of water stress. In this province, farmers and other users are
pumping groundwater faster than its natural replenishment rate,
causing a continuous drop in groundwater tables and depletion of this
resource. In this research variation of groundwater level, their effects
and ways to help control groundwater levels in aquifer of the Kavar-
Maharloo plains in Fars plain were evaluated .Excessive
exploitation of groundwater in this aquifer caused the groundwater
levels fall too fast or to unacceptable levels. The average drawdown
of the groundwater level in this plain were 17 meters during
1995 to 2006. The purpose of this study is to evaluate water level
changes in the Kavar-Maharloo Aquifer in the Fars province in order
to determine the areas of greatest depletion, the cause of depletion,
and predict the remaining life of the aquifer.
Abstract: Flow movement in unsaturated soil can be expressed
by a partial differential equation, named Richards equation. The
objective of this study is the finding of an appropriate implicit
numerical solution for head based Richards equation. Some of the
well known finite difference schemes (fully implicit, Crank Nicolson
and Runge-Kutta) have been utilized in this study. In addition, the
effects of different approximations of moisture capacity function,
convergence criteria and time stepping methods were evaluated. Two
different infiltration problems were solved to investigate the
performance of different schemes. These problems include of vertical
water flow in a wet and very dry soils. The numerical solutions of
two problems were compared using four evaluation criteria and the
results of comparisons showed that fully implicit scheme is better
than the other schemes. In addition, utilizing of standard chord slope
method for approximation of moisture capacity function, automatic
time stepping method and difference between two successive
iterations as convergence criterion in the fully implicit scheme can
lead to better and more reliable results for simulation of fluid
movement in different unsaturated soils.
Abstract: The unanticipated brittle fracture of connection of the
steel moment resisting frame (SMRF) occurred in 1994 the Northridge
earthquake. Since then, the researches for the vulnerability of
connection of the existing SMRF and for rehabilitation of those
buildings were conducted. This paper suggests performance-based
optimal seismic retrofit technique using connection upgrade. For
optimal design, a multi-objective genetic algorithm(NSGA-II) is used.
One of the two objective functions is to minimize initial cost and
another objective function is to minimize lifetime seismic damages
cost. The optimal algorithm proposed in this paper is performed
satisfying specified performance objective based on FEMA 356. The
nonlinear static analysis is performed for structural seismic
performance evaluation. A numerical example of SAC benchmark
SMRF is provided using the performance-based optimal seismic
retrofit technique proposed in this paper
Abstract: Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is an effective technique for preventing potential problems and actions needed to error cause removal. On the other hand, the oil producing companies paly a critical role in the oil industry of Iran as a developing country out of which, Sepahan Oil Co. has a considerable contribution. The aim of this research is to show how FMEA could be applied and improve the quality of products at Sepahan Oil Co. For this purpose, the four liter production line of the company has been selected for investigation. The findings imply that the application of FMEA has reduced the scraps from 50000 ppm to 5000 ppm and has resulted in a 0.92 percent decrease of the oil waste.
Abstract: Bridges are one of the main components of
transportation networks. They should be functional before and after
earthquake for emergency services. Therefore we need to assess
seismic performance of bridges under different seismic loadings.
Fragility curve is one of the popular tools in seismic evaluations. The
fragility curves are conditional probability statements, which give the
probability of a bridge reaching or exceeding a particular damage
level for a given intensity level. In this study, the seismic
performance of a two-span simply supported concrete bridge is
assessed. Due to usual lack of empirical data, the analytical fragility
curve was developed by results of the dynamic analysis of bridge
subjected to the different time histories in near-fault area.
Abstract: In this paper, a reliable cooperative multipath routing
algorithm is proposed for data forwarding in wireless sensor networks
(WSNs). In this algorithm, data packets are forwarded towards the
base station (BS) through a number of paths, using a set of relay
nodes. In addition, the Rayleigh fading model is used to calculate
the evaluation metric of links. Here, the quality of reliability is
guaranteed by selecting optimal relay set with which the probability
of correct packet reception at the BS will exceed a predefined
threshold. Therefore, the proposed scheme ensures reliable packet
transmission to the BS. Furthermore, in the proposed algorithm,
energy efficiency is achieved by energy balancing (i.e. minimizing
the energy consumption of the bottleneck node of the routing path)
at the same time. This work also demonstrates that the proposed
algorithm outperforms existing algorithms in extending longevity of
the network, with respect to the quality of reliability. Given this, the
obtained results make possible reliable path selection with minimum
energy consumption in real time.
Abstract: Cognitive models allow predicting some aspects of utility
and usability of human machine interfaces (HMI), and simulating
the interaction with these interfaces. The action of predicting is based
on a task analysis, which investigates what a user is required to do
in terms of actions and cognitive processes to achieve a task. Task
analysis facilitates the understanding of the system-s functionalities.
Cognitive models are part of the analytical approaches, that do not
associate the users during the development process of the interface.
This article presents a study about the evaluation of a human
machine interaction with a contextual assistant-s interface using ACTR
and GOMS cognitive models. The present work shows how these
techniques may be applied in the evaluation of HMI, design and
research by emphasizing firstly the task analysis and secondly the
time execution of the task. In order to validate and support our
results, an experimental study of user performance is conducted at
the DOMUS laboratory, during the interaction with the contextual
assistant-s interface. The results of our models show that the GOMS
and ACT-R models give good and excellent predictions respectively
of users performance at the task level, as well as the object level.
Therefore, the simulated results are very close to the results obtained
in the experimental study.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of
texturizers on the rheological properties of the apple mass and
desserts made from various raw materials. The apple varieties -
‘Antonovka’, ‘Baltais Dzidrais’, and ‘Zarja Alatau’ harvested in
Latvia, were used for the experiment. The apples were processed in a
blender unpeeled for obtaining a homogenous mass. The apple mass
was analyzed fresh and after storage at –18ºC. Both fresh and thawed
apple mass samples with added gelatin, xantan gum, and sodium
carboxymethylcellulose were whisked obtaining dessert. Pectin, pH
and soluble dry matter of the product were determined. Apparent
viscosity was measured using a rotational viscometer DV–III Ultra.
Pectin content in frozen apple mass decreased significantly (p
Abstract: In Grid computing, a data transfer protocol called
GridFTP has been widely used for efficiently transferring a large volume
of data. Currently, two versions of GridFTP protocols, GridFTP
version 1 (GridFTP v1) and GridFTP version 2 (GridFTP v2), have
been proposed in the GGF. GridFTP v2 supports several advanced
features such as data streaming, dynamic resource allocation, and
checksum transfer, by defining a transfer mode called X-block mode.
However, in the literature, effectiveness of GridFTP v2 has not been
fully investigated. In this paper, we therefore quantitatively evaluate
performance of GridFTP v1 and GridFTP v2 using mathematical
analysis and simulation experiments. We reveal the performance
limitation of GridFTP v1, and quantitatively show effectiveness of
GridFTP v2. Through several numerical examples, we show that by
utilizing the data streaming feature, the average file transfer time of
GridFTP v2 is significantly smaller than that of GridFTP v1.
Abstract: In this paper, we present the design and experimental
evaluation of complementary energy path adiabatic logic (CEPAL)
based 1 bit full adder circuit. A simulative investigation on the
proposed full adder has been done using VIRTUOSO SPECTRE
simulator of cadence in 0.18μm UMC technology and its
performance has been compared with the conventional CMOS full
adder circuit. The CEPAL based full adder circuit exhibits the energy
saving of 70% to the conventional CMOS full adder circuit, at 100
MHz frequency and 1.8V operating voltage.
Abstract: The Beshar River is one aquatic ecosystem, which is
located next to the city of Yasuj in southern Iran. The Beshar river
has been contaminated by industrial factories such as effluent of
sugar factory, agricultural and other activities in this region such as,
Imam Sajjad hospital, drainage from agricultural farms, Yasuj urban
surface runoff and effluent of wastewater treatment plants ,specially
Yasuj waste water treatment plant. In order to evaluate the effects of
these pollutants on the quality of the Beshar river, five monitoring
stations were selected along its course. The first station is located
upstream of Yasuj near the Dehnow village; stations 2 to 4 are
located east, south and west of city; and the 5th station is located
downstream of Yasuj. Several water quality parameters were
sampled. These include pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen
demand (BOD), temperature, conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved
solids and discharge or flow measurements. Water samples from the
five stations were collected and analyzed to determine the following
physicochemical parameters: EC, pH, T.D.S, T.H, No2, DO, BOD5,
COD during 2008 to 2010. The study shows that the BOD5 value of
station 1 is at a minimum (1.7 ppm) and increases downstream from
stations 2 to 4 to a maximum (11.6 ppm), and then decreases at
station 5. The DO values of station 1 is a maximum (8.45 ppm),
decreases downstream to stations 2 - 4 which are at a minimum (3.1
ppm), before increasing at station 5. The amount of BOD and TDS
are highest at the 4th station and the amount of DO is lowest at this
station, marking the 4th station as more highly polluted than the
other stations .This study shows average amount of the water quality
parameters in first year of sampling (2008) have had a better quality
relation to third year in 2010 because of recent drought in this region
and pollutant increasing .As the Beshar river path after 5th station
goes through the mountain area with more slope and flow velocity
,so the physicochemical parameters improve at the 5th station due to
pollutant degradation and dilution. Finally the point and nonpoint
pollutant sources of Beshar river were determined and compared to
the monitoring results.
Abstract: This paper investigates the application of large scale (LS-PV) two-axis tracking photovoltaic power plant in Al-Jagbob, Libya. A 50MW PV-grid connected (two-axis tracking) power plant design in Al-Jagbob, Libya has been carried out presently. A hetero-junction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) type PV module has been selected and modeled. A Microsoft Excel-VBA program has been constructed to compute slope radiation, dew-point, sky temperature, and then cell temperature, maximum power output and module efficiency for this system, for tracking system. The results for energy production show that the total energy output is 128.5 GWh/year. The average module efficiency is 16.6%. The electricity generation capacity factor (CF) and solar capacity factor (SCF) were found to be 29.3% and 70.4% respectively. A 50MW two axis tracking power plant with a total energy output of 128.5 GWh/year would reduce CO2 pollution by 85,581 tonnes of each year. The payback time for the proposed LS-PV photovoltaic power plant was found to be 4 years.
Abstract: The lifelong learning is a crucial element in the
modernization of European education and training systems. The most
important actors in the development process of the lifelong learning
are the trainers, whose professional characteristics need new
competences and skills in the current labour market. The main
objective of this paper is to establish an importance ranking of the
new competences, capabilities and skills that the lifelong learning
Spanish trainers must possess nowadays. A wide study of secondary
sources has allowed the design of a questionnaire that organizes the
trainer-s skills and competences. The e-Delphi method is used for
realizing a creative, individual and anonymous evaluation by experts
on the importance ranking that presents the criteria, sub-criteria and
indicators of the e-Delphi questionnaire. Twenty Spanish experts in
the lifelong learning have participated in two rounds of the e-
DELPHI method. In the first round, the analysis of the experts-
evaluation has allowed to establish the ranking of the most
importance criteria, sub-criteria and indicators and to eliminate the
least valued. The minimum level necessary to reach the consensus
among experts has been achieved in the second round.
Abstract: Recently electric vehicles are becoming popular as an
alternative of conventional fossil fuel vehicles. Conventional Internal
Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle uses fossil fuel which contributing
a major part of overall carbon emission in the environment. Carbon
and other green house gas emission are responsible for global
warming and resulting climate change. It becomes vital to evaluate
performance of vehicle based on emission. In this paper an effort has
been made to depict the picture of emission caused by vehicle and
scenario of Australia has taken into account. Effort has been made to
compare the fossil based vehicle with electric vehicle in phases. The
study also evaluates advancement in electric vehicle technology,
required infrastructure for sustainability and future scope of
developments. This paper also includes the evaluation of electric
vehicle concept for pollution control and sustainable transport
systems in future. This study can be a benchmark for development of
electric vehicle as low carbon emission alternative for the cities of
tomorrow.
Abstract: Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a 4G wireless
broadband technology developed by the Third Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) release 8, and it's represent the
competitiveness of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
(UMTS) for the next 10 years and beyond. The concepts for LTE
systems have been introduced in 3GPP release 8, with objective of
high-data-rate, low-latency and packet-optimized radio access
technology. In this paper, performance of different TCP variants
during LTE network investigated. The performance of TCP over
LTE is affected mostly by the links of the wired network and total
bandwidth available at the serving base station. This paper describes
an NS-2 based simulation analysis of TCP-Vegas, TCP-Tahoe, TCPReno,
TCP-Newreno, TCP-SACK, and TCP-FACK, with full
modeling of all traffics of LTE system. The Evaluation of the
network performance with all TCP variants is mainly based on
throughput, average delay and lost packet. The analysis of TCP
performance over LTE ensures that all TCP's have a similar
throughput and the best performance return to TCP-Vegas than other
variants.