Abstract: The new status generated by technological advancements and changes in the global economy raises important issues on how communities and organisations need to innovate upon their traditional processes in order to adapt to the challenges of the Knowledge Society. The DialogoS+ European project aims to study the role of and promote social dialogue in the banking sector, strengthen the link between old and new members and make social dialogue at the European level a force for innovation and change, also given the context of the international crisis emerging in 2008- 2009. Under the scope of DialogoS+, this paper describes how the community of Europe-s banking sector trade unions attempted to adapt to the challenges of the Knowledge Society by exploiting the benefits of new channels of communication, learning, knowledge generation and diffusion focusing on the concept of roadmapping. Important dimensions of social dialogue such as collective bargaining and working conditions are addressed.
Abstract: Graduate attributes have received increasing attention
over recent years as universities incorporate these attributes into the
curriculum. Graduates who have adequate technical knowledge only
are not sufficiently equipped to compete effectively in the work
place; they also need non disciplinary skills ie, graduate attributes.
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of an eportfolio
in a technical communication course to enhance engineering
students- graduate attributes: namely, learning of communication,
critical thinking and problem solving and teamwork skills. Two
questionnaires were used to elicit information from the students: one
on their preferred and the other on the actual learning process. In
addition, student perceptions of the use of eportfolio as a learning
tool were investigated. Preliminary findings showed that most of the
students- expectations have been met with their actual learning. This
indicated that eportfolio has the potential as a tool to enhance
students- graduate attributes.
Abstract: In this paper, we will present an architecture for the
implementation of a real time stereoscopic images correction's
approach. This architecture is parallel and makes use of several
memory blocs in which are memorized pre calculated data relating to
the cameras used for the acquisition of images. The use of reduced
images proves to be essential in the proposed approach; the
suggested architecture must so be able to carry out the real time
reduction of original images.
Abstract: A stage-structured predator-prey system with two time delays is considered. By analyzing the corresponding characteristic equation, the local stability of a positive equilibrium is investigated and the existence of Hopf bifurcations is established. Formulae are derived to determine the direction of bifurcations and the stability of bifurcating periodic solutions by using the normal form theory and center manifold theorem. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the theoretical results. Based on the global Hopf bifurcation theorem for general functional differential equations, the global existence of periodic solutions is established.
Abstract: To solve the quick and accurate level-adjusting
problem in the process of spacecraft precise mating, automatic leveling
and equalizing hoist device for spacecraft is developed. Based on
lifting point adjustment by utilizing XY-workbench, the leveling and
equalizing controller by a self-adaptive control algorithm is proposed.
By simulation analysis and lifting test using engineering prototype,
validity and reliability of the hoist device is verified, which can meet
the precision mating requirements of practical applications for
spacecraft.
Abstract: The distressing flood scenarios that occur in
recent years at the surrounding areas of Sarawak River have
left damages of properties and indirectly caused disruptions of
productive activities. This study is meant to reconstruct a 100-year
flood event that took place in this river basin. Sarawak River Subbasin
was chosen and modeled using the one-dimensional
hydrodynamic modeling approach using InfoWorks River Simulation
(RS), in combination with Geographical Information System (GIS).
This produces the hydraulic response of the river and its floodplains
in extreme flooding conditions. With different parameters introduced
to the model, correlations of observed and simulated data are
between 79% – 87%. Using the best calibrated model, flood
mitigation structures are imposed along the sub-basin. Analysis is
done based on the model simulation results. Result shows that the
proposed retention ponds constructed along the sub-basin provide the
most efficient reduction of flood by 34.18%.
Abstract: Many experimental results suggest that more precise spike timing is significant in neural information processing. We construct a self-organization model using the spatiotemporal pat-terns, where Spike-Timing Dependent Plasticity (STDP) tunes the conduction delays between neurons. We show that, for highly syn-chronized inputs, the fluctuation of conduction delays causes globally continuous and locally distributed firing patterns through the self-organization.
Abstract: In this paper, we argue the security protocols of
ZigBee wireless sensor network in MAC layer. AES 128-bit
encryption algorithm in CCM* mode is secure transferred data;
however, AES-s secret key will be break within nearest future.
Efficient public key algorithm, ECC has been mixed with AES to
rescue the ZigBee wireless sensor from cipher text and replay attack.
Also, the proposed protocol can parallelize the integrity function to
increase system performance.
Abstract: Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) is one of the
best solutions for removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
from industrial processes. In the RTO, VOC in a raw gas are usually
decomposed at 950-1300 K and the combustion heat of VOC is
recovered by regenerative heat exchangers charged with ceramic
honeycombs. The optimization of the treatment of VOC leads to the
reduction of fuel addition to VOC decomposition, the minimization of
CO2 emission and operating cost as well.
In the present work, the thermal efficiency of the RTO was
investigated experimentally in a pilot-scale RTO unit using toluene as
a typical representative of VOC. As a result, it was recognized that the
radiative heat transfer was dominant in the preheating process of a raw
gas when the gas flow rate was relatively low. Further, it was found
that a minimum heat exchanger volume to achieve self combustion of
toluene without additional heating of the RTO by fuel combustion was
dependent on both the flow rate of a raw gas and the concentration of
toluene. The thermal efficiency calculated from fuel consumption and
the decomposed toluene ratio, was found to have a maximum value of
0.95 at a raw gas mass flow rate of 1810 kg·h-1 and honeycombs height
of 1.5m.
Abstract: Carboneous catalytical methane decomposition is an
attractive process because it produces two valuable products:
hydrogen and carbon. Furthermore, this reaction does not emit any
green house or hazardous gases. In the present study, experiments
were conducted in a thermo gravimetric analyzer using Fluka 05120
as carboneous catalyst to analyze its effectiveness in methane
decomposition. Various temperatures and methane partial pressures
were chosen and carbon mass gain was observed as a function of
time. Results are presented in terms of carbon formation rate,
hydrogen production and catalytical activity. It is observed that there
is linearity in carbon deposition amount by time at lower reaction
temperature (780 °C). On the other hand, it is observed that carbon
and hydrogen formation rates are increased with increasing
temperature. Finally, we observed that the carbon formation rate is
highest at 950 °C within the range of temperatures studied.
Abstract: This paper is a continuation of our interest in the influence of temperature on specific retention volumes and the resulting infinite dilution activity coefficients. This has a direct effect in the design of absorption and stripping columns for the abatement of volatile organic compounds. The interaction of 13 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) at varying temperatures was studied by gas liquid chromatography (GLC). Infinite dilution activity coefficients and specific retention volumes obtained in this study were found to be in agreement with those obtained from static headspace and group contribution methods by the authors as well as literature values for similar systems. Temperature variation also allows for transport calculations for different seasons. The results of this work confirm that PDMS is well suited for the scrubbing of VOCs from waste gas streams. Plots of specific retention volumes against temperature gave linear van-t Hoff plots.
Abstract: Mobile devices, which are progressively surrounded
in our everyday life, have created a new paradigm where they
interconnect, interact and collaborate with each other. This network
can be used for flexible and secure coordinated sharing. On the other
hand Grid computing provides dependable, consistent, pervasive, and
inexpensive access to high-end computational capabilities. In this
paper, efforts are made to map the concepts of Grid on Ad-Hoc
networks because both exhibit similar kind of characteristics like
Scalability, Dynamism and Heterogeneity. In this context we
propose “Mobile Ad-Hoc Services Grid – MASGRID".
Abstract: A color image edge detection algorithm is proposed in
this paper using Pseudo-complement and matrix rotation operations.
First, pseudo-complement method is applied on the image for each
channel. Then, matrix operations are applied on the output image of
the first stage. Dominant pixels are obtained by image differencing
between the pseudo-complement image and the matrix operated
image. Median filtering is carried out to smoothen the image thereby
removing the isolated pixels. Finally, the dominant or core pixels
occurring in at least two channels are selected. On plotting the
selected edge pixels, the final edge map of the given color image is
obtained. The algorithm is also tested in HSV and YCbCr color
spaces. Experimental results on both synthetic and real world images
show that the accuracy of the proposed method is comparable to
other color edge detectors. All the proposed procedures can be
applied to any image domain and runs in polynomial time.
Abstract: Vehicle which are turning or maneuvering at high speeds
are susceptible to sliding and subsequently deviate from desired path. In
this paper the dynamics governing the Yaw/Roll behavior of a vehicle
has been simulated. Two different simulations have been used one for
the real vehicle, for which a fuzzy controller is designed to increase its
directional stability property. The other simulation is for a hypothetical
vehicle with much higher tire cornering stiffness which is capable of
developing the required lateral forces at the tire-ground patch contact to
attain the desired lateral acceleration for the vehicle to follow the
desired path without slippage. This simulation model is our reference
model.
The logic for keeping the vehicle on the desired track in the cornering
or maneuvering state is to have some braking forces on the inner or
outer tires based on the direction of vehicle deviation from the desired
path. The inputs to our vehicle simulation model is steer angle δ and
vehicle velocity V , and the outputs can be any kinematical parameters
like yaw rate, yaw acceleration, side slip angle, rate of side slip angle
and so on. The proposed fuzzy controller is a feed forward controller.
This controller has two inputs which are steer angle δ and vehicle
velocity V, and the output of the controller is the correcting moment M,
which guides the vehicle back to the desired track. To develop the
membership functions for the controller inputs and output and the fuzzy
rules, the vehicle simulation has been run for 1000 times and the
correcting moment have been determined by trial and error. Results of
the vehicle simulation with fuzzy controller are very promising
and show the vehicle performance is enhanced greatly over the
vehicle without the controller. In fact the vehicle performance
with the controller is very near the performance of the reference
ideal model.
Abstract: In areas of low to moderate seismicity many building contents and equipment are not positively fixed to the floor or tied to adjacent walls. Under seismic induced horizontal vibration, such contents and equipment can suffer from damage by either overturning or impact associated with rocking. This paper focuses on the estimation of shock on typical contents and equipment due to rocking. A simplified analytical model is outlined that can be used to estimate the maximum acceleration on a rocking object given its basic geometric and mechanical properties. The developed model was validated against experimental results. The experimental results revealed that the maximum shock acceleration can be underestimated if the static stiffness of the materials at the interface between the rocking object and floor is used rather than the dynamic stiffness. Excellent agreement between the model and experimental results was found when the dynamic stiffness for the interface material was used, which was found to be generally much higher than corresponding static stiffness under different investigated boundary conditions of the cushion. The proposed model can be a beneficial tool in performing a rapid assessment of shock sensitive components considered for possible seismic rectification.
Abstract: The paper provides a literature review of the STEPNC
compliant research around the world. The first part of this paper
focuses on projects based on STEP compliance followed by research
and development in this area based on machining operations. Review
the literature relating to relevant STEP standards and application in
the area of turning centers. This research will review the various
research work, carried out from the evolution of STEP-NC of the
CNC manufacturing activities. The paper concludes with discussion
of the applications in this particular area.
Abstract: Dengue virus is transmitted from person to person
through the biting of infected Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes. DEN-1,
DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4 are four serotypes of this virus. Infection
with one of these four serotypes apparently produces permanent
immunity to it, but only temporary cross immunity to the others. The
length of time during incubation of dengue virus in human and
mosquito are considered in this study. The dengue patients are
classified into infected and infectious classes. The infectious human
can transmit dengue virus to susceptible mosquitoes but infected
human can not. The transmission model of this disease is formulated.
The human population is divided into susceptible, infected, infectious
and recovered classes. The mosquito population is separated into
susceptible, infected and infectious classes. Only infectious
mosquitoes can transmit dengue virus to the susceptible human. We
analyze this model by using dynamical analysis method. The
threshold condition is discussed to reduce the outbreak of this
disease.
Abstract: This paper presents the feasibility study of CO2 sequestration from the sources to the sinks in the prospective of Italian Industries. CO2 produced at these sources captured, compressed to supercritical pressures, transported via pipelines and stored in underground geologic formations such as depleted oil and natural gas reservoirs, un-minable coal seams and deep saline aquifers. In this work, we present the optimized pipeline infrastructure for the CO2 with appropriate constraints to find lower cost system by the use of nonlinear optimization software LINGO 11.0. This study was conducted on CO2 transportation complex network of Italian Industries, to find minimum cost network for transporting the CO2 from sources to the sinks.
Abstract: Internal controls of accounting are an essential
business function for a growth-oriented organization, and include the
elements of risk assessment, information communications and even
employees' roles and responsibilities. Internal controls of accounting
systems are designed to protect a company from fraud, abuse and
inaccurate data recording and help organizations keep track of
essential financial activities. Internal controls of accounting provide a
streamlined solution for organizing all accounting procedures and
ensuring that the accounting cycle is completed consistently and
successfully. Implementing a formal Accounting Procedures Manual
for the organization allows the financial department to facilitate
several processes and maintain rigorous standards. Internal controls
also allow organizations to keep detailed records, manage and
organize important financial transactions and set a high standard for
the organization's financial management structure and protocols. A
well-implemented system also reduces the risk of accounting errors
and abuse. A well-implemented controls system allows a company's
financial managers to regulate and streamline all functions of the
accounting department. Internal controls of accounting can be set up
for every area to track deposits, monitor check handling, keep track
of creditor accounts, and even assess budgets and financial statements
on an ongoing basis. Setting up an effective accounting system to
monitor accounting reports, analyze records and protect sensitive
financial information also can help a company set clear goals and
make accurate projections. Creating efficient accounting processes
allows an organization to set specific policies and protocols on
accounting procedures, and reach its financial objectives on a regular
basis. Internal accounting controls can help keep track of such areas
as cash-receipt recording, payroll management, appropriate recording
of grants and gifts, cash disbursements by authorized personnel, and
the recording of assets. These systems also can take into account any
government regulations and requirements for financial reporting.
Abstract: The effect of wood vinegar, entomopathogenic
nematodes ((Steinernema thailandensis n. sp.) and fermented organic
substances from four plants such as: Derris elliptica Roxb, Stemona
tuberosa Lour, Tinospora crispa Mier and Azadirachta indica J. were
tested on the five varieties of sweetpotato with potential for
bioethanol production ie. Taiwan, China, PROC No.65-16, Phichit
166-5, and Phichit 129-6. The experimental plots were located at
Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment,
Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand. The aim of this study
was to compare the efficiency of the five treatments for growth, yield
and insect infestation on the five varieties of sweetpotato. Treatment
with entomopathogenic nematodes gave the highest average weight
of sweetpotato tubers (1.3 kg/tuber), followed by wood vinegar,
fermented organic substances and mixed treatment with yields of
0.88, 0.46 and 0.43 kg/tuber, respectively. Also the
entomopathogenic nematode treatment gave significantly higher
average width and length of sweet potato (9.82 cm and 9.45 cm,
respectively). Additionally, the entomopathogenic nematode
provided the best control of insect infestation on sweetpotato leaves
and tubers. Comparison among the varieties of sweetpotato, PROC
NO.65-16 showed the highest weight and length. However, Phichit
129-6 gave significantly higher weight of 0.94 kg/tuber. Lastly, the
lowest sweet potato weevil infestation on leaves and tubers occurred
on Taiwan and Phichit 129-6.