Abstract: Optimizing the parameters in the controller plays a
vital role in the control theory and its applications. Optimizing the
PID parameters is finding out the best value from the feasible
solutions. Finding the optimal value is an optimization problem.
Inverted Pendulum is a very good platform for control engineers to
verify and apply different logics in the field of control theory. It is
necessary to find an optimization technique for the controller to tune
the values automatically in order to minimize the error within the
given bounds. In this paper, the algorithmic concepts of Harmony
search (HS) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) have been analyzed for the
given range of values. The experimental results show that HS
performs well than GA.
Abstract: Objectives: To determine the nutritional status and
risk factors associated with women practicing geophagia in QwaQwa,
South Africa. Materials and Methods: An observational epidemiological study
design was adopted which included an exposed (geophagia) and nonexposed
(control) group. A food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and blood sampling were applied to
determine nutritional status of participants. Logistic regression
analysis was performed in order to identify factors that were likely to
be associated with the practice of geophagia. Results: The mean total energy intake for the geophagia group (G)
and control group (C) were 10324.31 ± 2755.00 kJ and 10763.94 ±
2556.30 kJ respectively. Both groups fell within the overweight
category according to the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of each
group (G= 25.59 kg/m2; C= 25.14 kg/m2). The mean serum iron
levels of the geophagia group (6.929 μmol/l) were significantly lower
than that of the control group (13.75 μmol/l) (p = 0.000). Serum
transferrin (G=3.23g/l; C=2.7054g/l) and serum transferrin saturation
(G=8.05%; C=18.74%) levels also differed significantly between
groups (p=0.00). Factors that were associated with the practice of
geophagia included haemoglobin (Odds ratio (OR):14.50), serumiron
(OR: 9.80), serum-ferritin (OR: 3.75), serum-transferrin (OR:
6.92) and transferrin saturation (OR: 14.50). A significant negative
association (p=0.014) was found between women who were wageearners
and those who were not wage-earners and the practice of
geophagia (OR: 0.143; CI: 0.027; 0.755). These findings seem to
indicate that a permanent income may decrease the likelihood of
practising geophagia. Key Findings: Geophagia was confirmed to be a risk factor for
iron deficiency in this community. The significantly strong
association between geophagia and iron deficiency emphasizes the
importance of identifying the practice of geophagia in women,
especially during their child bearing years.
Abstract: Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) systems are
wireless systems with multiple antenna elements at both ends of the
link. Wireless communication systems demand high data rate and
spectral efficiency with increased reliability. MIMO systems have
been popular techniques to achieve these goals because increased
data rate is possible through spatial multiplexing scheme and
diversity. Spatial Multiplexing (SM) is used to achieve higher
possible throughput than diversity. In this paper, we propose a Zero-
Forcing (ZF) detection using a combination of Ordered Successive
Interference Cancellation (OSIC) and Zero Forcing using
Interference Cancellation (ZF-IC). The proposed method used an
OSIC based on Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) ordering to get the
estimation of last symbol, then the estimated last symbol is
considered to be an input to the ZF-IC. We analyze the Bit Error Rate
(BER) performance of the proposed MIMO system over Rayleigh
Fading Channel, using Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK)
modulation scheme. The results show better performance than the
previous methods.
Abstract: The research explores the relationship between
management responsibility and corporate governance of listed
companies in Kazakhstan. This research employs firm level data of
selected listed non-financial firms and firm level data “operational”
financial sector, consisted from banking sector, insurance companies
and accumulated pension funds using multivariate regression analysis
under fixed effect model approach. Ownership structure includes
institutional ownership, managerial ownership and private investor’s
ownership. Management responsibility of the firm is expressed by the
decision of the firm on amount of leverage. Results of the cross
sectional panel study for non-financial firms showed that only
institutional shareholding is significantly negatively correlated with
debt to equity ratio. Findings from “operational” financial sector
show that leverage is significantly affected only by the CEO/Chair
duality and the size of financial institutions, and insignificantly
affected by ownership structure. Also, the findings show, that there is
a significant negative relationship between profitability and the debt
to equity ratio for non-financial firms, which is consistent with
pecking order theory. Generally, the found results suggest that
corporate governance and a management responsibility play
important role in corporate performance of listed firms in
Kazakhstan.
Abstract: This paper highlights an innovative and nontraditional
violence prevention program that is making a noticeable impact in
what was once one of the country’s most violent communities. With
unique and tailored strategies, the Operation Peacemaker Fellowship,
established in Richmond, California, combines components of
evidence-based practices with a community-oriented focus on
relationships and mentoring to fill a gap in services and increase
community safety. In an effort to highlight these unique strategies
and provide a blueprint for other communities with violent crime
problems, the authors of this paper hope to clearly delineate how one
community is moving forward with vanguard approaches to invest in
the lives of young men who once were labeled their community’s
most violent, even most deadly, youth. The impact of this program is
evidenced through the fellows’ own voices as they illuminate the
experience of being in the Fellowship. In interviews, fellows describe
how participating in this program has transformed their lives and the
lives of those they love. The authors of this article spent more than
two years researching this Fellowship program in order to conduct an
evaluation of it and, ultimately, to demonstrate how this program is a
testament to the power of relationships and love combined with
evidence-based practices, consequently enriching the lives of youth
and the community that embraces them.
Abstract: Cortisol is essential to the regulation of the immune
system and pathological yawning is a symptom of multiple sclerosis
(MS). Electromyography activity (EMG) in the jaw muscles typically
rises when the muscles are moved – extended or flexed; and yawning
has been shown to be highly correlated with cortisol levels in healthy
people as shown in the Thompson Cortisol Hypothesis. It is likely
that these elevated cortisol levels are also seen in people with MS.
The possible link between EMG in the jaw muscles and rises in saliva
cortisol levels during yawning were investigated in a randomized
controlled trial of 60 volunteers aged 18-69 years who were exposed
to conditions that were designed to elicit the yawning response.
Saliva samples were collected at the start and after yawning, or at the
end of the presentation of yawning-provoking stimuli, in the absence
of a yawn, and EMG data was additionally collected during rest and
yawning phases. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Yawning
Susceptibility Scale, General Health Questionnaire, demographic,
and health details were collected and the following exclusion criteria
were adopted: chronic fatigue, diabetes, fibromyalgia, heart
condition, high blood pressure, hormone replacement therapy,
multiple sclerosis, and stroke. Significant differences were found
between the saliva cortisol samples for the yawners, t (23) = -4.263, p
= 0.000, as compared with the non-yawners between rest and poststimuli,
which was non-significant. There were also significant
differences between yawners and non-yawners for the EMG
potentials with the yawners having higher rest and post-yawning
potentials. Significant evidence was found to support the Thompson
Cortisol Hypothesis suggesting that rises in cortisol levels are
associated with the yawning response. Further research is underway
to explore the use of cortisol as a potential diagnostic tool as an assist
to the early diagnosis of symptoms related to neurological disorders.
Bournemouth University Research & Ethics approval granted:
JC28/1/13-KA6/9/13. Professional code of conduct, confidentiality,
and safety issues have been addressed and approved in the Ethics
submission. Trials identification number: ISRCTN61942768.
http://www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn/
Abstract: This paper describes three lumped parameters models
for the study of the dynamic behavior of a boom crane. The models
here proposed allows to evaluate the fluctuations of the load arising
from the rope and structure elasticity and from the type of the
motion command imposed by the winch. A calculation software
was developed in order to determine the actual acceleration of the
lifted mass and the dynamic overload during the lifting phase. Some
application examples are presented, with the aim of showing the
correlation between the magnitude of the stress and the type of the
employed motion command.
Abstract: Current study established for EEG signal analysis in
patients with language disorder. Language disorder can be defined as
meaningful delay in the use or understanding of spoken or written
language. The disorder can include the content or meaning of
language, its form, or its use. Here we applied Z-score, power
spectrum, and coherence methods to discriminate the language
disorder data from healthy ones. Power spectrum of each channel in
alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and theta frequency bands was measured.
In addition, intra hemispheric Z-score obtained by scoring algorithm.
Obtained results showed high Z-score and power spectrum in
posterior regions. Therefore, we can conclude that peoples with
language disorder have high brain activity in frontal region of brain
in comparison with healthy peoples. Results showed that high coherence correlates with irregularities
in the ERP and is often found during complex task, whereas low
coherence is often found in pathological conditions. The results of the
Z-score analysis of the brain dynamics showed higher Z-score peak
frequency in delta, theta and beta sub bands of Language Disorder
patients. In this analysis there were activity signs in both hemispheres
and the left-dominant hemisphere was more active than the right.
Abstract: Lyophilization, also called freeze-drying, is an
important dehydration technique mainly used for pharmaceuticals.
Food industry also uses lyophilization when it is important to retain
most of the nutritional quality, taste, shape and size of dried products
and to extend their shelf life. Vacuum-Induced during freezing cycle
(VI) has been used in order to control ice nucleation and,
consequently, to reduce the time of primary drying cycle of
pharmaceuticals preserving quality properties of the final product.
This procedure has not been applied in freeze drying of foods. The
present work aims to investigate the effect of VI on the lyophilization
drying time, final moisture content, density and reconstitutional
properties of mango (Mangifera indica L.) slices (MS) and mango
pulp-maltodextrin dispersions (MPM) (30% concentration of total
solids). Control samples were run at each freezing rate without using
induced vacuum. The lyophilization endpoint was the same for all
treatments (constant difference between capacitance and Pirani
vacuum gauges). From the experimental results it can be concluded
that at the high freezing rate (0.4°C/min) reduced the overall process
time up to 30% comparing process time required for the control and
VI of the lower freeze rate (0.1°C/min) without affecting the quality
characteristics of the dried product, which yields a reduction in costs
and energy consumption for MS and MPM freeze drying. Controls
and samples treated with VI at freezing rate of 0.4°C/min in MS
showed similar results in moisture and density parameters.
Furthermore, results from MPM dispersion showed favorable values
when VI was applied because dried product with low moisture
content and low density was obtained at shorter process time
compared with the control. There were not found significant
differences between reconstitutional properties (rehydration for MS
and solubility for MPM) of freeze dried mango resulting from
controls, and VI treatments.
Abstract: For schools to be desirable places in which to work, it
is necessary for principals to recognise their teachers’ emotions, and
be sensitive to their needs. This necessitates that principals are
capable to correctly identify their emotionally intelligent behaviours
(EIBs) they need to use in order to be successful leaders. They also
need to have knowledge of their emotional intelligence and be able to
identify the factors and situations that evoke emotion at an
interpersonal level. If a principal is able to do this, then the control
and understanding of emotions and behaviours of oneself and others
could improve vastly. This study focuses on the interpersonal EIBS
of principals affecting the job satisfaction of teachers. The correlation
coefficients in this quantitative study strongly indicate that there is a
statistical significance between the respondents’ level of job
satisfaction, the rating of their principals’ EIBs and how they believe
their principals’ EIBs will affect their sense of job satisfaction. It can
be concluded from the data obtained in this study that there is a
significant correlation between the sense of job satisfaction of
teachers and their principals’ interpersonal EIBs. This means that the
more satisfied a teacher is at school, the more appropriate and
meaningful a principal’s EIBs will be. Conversely, the more
dissatisfied a teacher is at school the less appropriate and less
meaningful a principal’s interpersonal EIBs will be. This implies that
the leaders’ EIBs can be construed as one of the major factors
affecting the job satisfaction of employees.
Abstract: The need to merge software artifacts seems inherent
to modern software development. Distribution of development over
several teams and breaking tasks into smaller, more manageable
pieces are an effective means to deal with the kind of complexity. In
each case, the separately developed artifacts need to be assembled as
efficiently as possible into a consistent whole in which the parts still
function as described. In addition, earlier changes are introduced into
the life cycle and easier is their management by designers.
Interaction-based specifications such as UML sequence diagrams
have been found effective in this regard. As a result, sequence
diagrams can be used not only for capturing system behaviors but
also for merging changes in order to create a new version. The
objective of this paper is to suggest a new approach to deal with the
problem of software merging at the level of sequence diagrams by
using the concept of dependence analysis that captures, formally, all
mapping, and differences between elements of sequence diagrams
and serves as a key concept to create a new version of sequence
diagram.
Abstract: Digital reference service is when a traditional library
reference service is provided electronically. In most cases users do
not get full satisfaction from using digital reference service due to
variety of reasons. This paper discusses the formal specification of
web services applications for digital reference services (WSDRS).
WSDRS is an informal model that claims to reduce the problems of
digital reference services in libraries. It uses web services technology
to provide efficient digital way of satisfying users’ need in the
reference section of libraries. Informal model is in natural language
which is inconsistent and ambiguous that may cause difficulties to the
developers of the system. In order to solve this problem we decided
to convert the informal specifications into formal specifications. This
is supposed to reduce the overall development time and cost. We use
Z language to develop the formal model and verify it with Z/EVES
theorem prover tool.
Abstract: The latest years the number of immigrants at Greece
has increased dramatically. Their impact on the National Health
System (NHS) has not been yet thoroughly investigated. This paper
analyses the cost of immigrants to the NHS hospitals of the region of
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. The data are collected from 2005 to
2011 from five different hospitals and are analysed using linear
mixed effects models in order to investigate the effects of nationality
and year on the cost of hospitalization and treatment. The results
show that generally the Greek nationality patients have a higher mean
cost of hospitalization compared to the immigrants and that there is
an increasing trend for the cost except for the year 2010.
Abstract: This paper presents a speed estimation scheme based
on second-order sliding-mode Super Twisting Algorithm (STA) and
Model Reference Adaptive System (MRAS) estimation theory for
Sensorless control of multiphase induction machine. A stator current
observer is designed based on the STA, which is utilized to take the
place of the reference voltage model of the standard MRAS
algorithm. The observer is insensitive to the variation of rotor
resistance and magnetizing inductance when the states arrive at the
sliding mode. Derivatives of rotor flux are obtained and designed as
the state of MRAS, thus eliminating the integration. Compared with
the first-order sliding-mode speed estimator, the proposed scheme
makes full use of the auxiliary sliding-mode surface, thus alleviating
the chattering behavior without increasing the complexity. Simulation
results show the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed
scheme.
Abstract: The purpose of the study is to find out relation of
moral massage between the authority and globalization in proverb.
Proverb is one of the many forms of cultural identity of the
Indonesian/Malay people filled with moral values. The values
contained within those proverbs are beneficial not only to the society,
but also to those who held power amidst on this era of globalization.
The method being used is qualitative research through content
analysis which is done by describing and uncovering the forms and
meanings of proverbs used within Indonesia Minangkabau society.
Sources for this study’s data were extracted from a Minangkabau
native speaker in the sub district of Tanah Abang, Jakarta. Said
sources were retrieved through a series of interviews with the
Minangkabau native speaker, whose speech is still adorned with
idiomatic expressions. The research findings show that there are 30
existed proverbs or idiomatic expressions in the Minangkabau
language often used by its indigenous people. The thirty data contain
moral values which are closely interwoven with the matter of power
and globalization. Analytical results show that the fourteen moral
values contained within proverbs reflect a firm connection between
rule and power in globalization; such as: responsible, brave,
togetherness and consensus, tolerance, politeness, thorough and
meticulous, honest and keeping promise, ingenious and learning,
care, self-correction, be fair, alert, arbitrary, self-awareness.
Structurally, proverbs possess an unchangeably formal construction;
symbolically, proverbs possess meanings that are clearly decided
through ethnographic communicative factors along with situational
and cultural contexts. Values contained within proverbs may be used
as a guide in social management, be it between fellow men, between
men and nature, or even between men and their Creator. Therefore,
the meanings and values contained within the morals of proverbs
could also be utilized as a counsel for those who rule and in charge of
power in order to stem the tides of globalization that had already
spread into sectoral, territorial and educational continuums.
Abstract: Structural analysis of flexible pavements has been and still is currently performed using multi-layer elastic theory. However, for thinly surfaced pavements subjected to low to medium volumes of traffics, the importance of non-linear stress-strain behavior of unbound granular materials (UGM) requires the use of more sophisticated numerical models for structural design and performance of such pavements. In the present work, nonlinear unbound aggregates constitutive model is implemented within an axisymmetric finite element code developed to simulate the nonlinear behavior of pavement structures including two local aggregates of different mineralogical nature, typically used in Algerian pavements. The performance of the mechanical model is examined about its capability of representing adequately, under various conditions, the granular material non-linearity in pavement analysis. In addition, deflection data collected by Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) are incorporated into the analysis in order to assess the sensitivity of critical pavement design criteria and pavement design life to the constitutive model. Finally, conclusions of engineering significance are formulated.
Abstract: The Gezi Park protests of 2013 have significantly changed the Turkish agenda and its effects have been felt historically. The protests, which rapidly spread throughout the country, were triggered by the proposal to recreate the Ottoman Army Barracks to function as a shopping mall on Gezi Park located in Istanbul’s Taksim neighbourhood despite the oppositions of several NGOs and when trees were cut in the park for this purpose. Once the news that the construction vehicles entered the park on May 27 spread on social media, activists moved into the park to stop the demolition, against whom the police used disproportioned force. With this police intervention and the then prime-minister Tayyip Erdoğan's insistent statements about the construction plans, the protests turned into anti- government demonstrations, which then spread to the rest of the country, mainly in big cities like Ankara and Izmir. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ June 23rd reports, 2.5 million people joined the demonstrations in 79 provinces, that is all of them, except for the provinces of Bayburt and Bingöl, while even more people shared their opinions via social networks. As a result of these events, 8 civilians and 2 security personnel lost their lives, namely police chief Mustafa Sarı, police officer Ahmet Küçükdağ, citizens Mehmet Ayvalıtaş, Abdullah Cömert, Ethem Sarısülük, Ali İsmail Korkmaz, Ahmet Atakan, Berkin Elvan, Burak Can Karamanoğlu, Mehmet İstif, and Elif Çermik, and 8163 more were injured. Besides being a turning point in Turkish history, the Gezi Park protests also had broad repercussions in both in Turkish and in global media, which focused on Turkey throughout the events. Our study conducts content analysis of three Turkish reporting newspapers with varying ideological standpoints, Hürriyet, Cumhuriyet ve Yeni Şafak, in order to reveal their basic approach to news casting in context of the Gezi Park protests. Headlines, news segments, and news content relating to the Gezi protests were treated and analysed for this purpose. The aim of this study is to understand the social effects of the Gezi Park protests through media samples with varying political attitudes towards news casting.
Abstract: This paper presents a grid synchronization technique based on adaptive notch filter for SPV (Solar Photovoltaic) system along with MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) techniques. An efficient grid synchronization technique offers proficient detection of various components of grid signal like phase and frequency. It also acts as a barrier for harmonics and other disturbances in grid signal. A reference phase signal synchronized with the grid voltage is provided by the grid synchronization technique to standardize the system with grid codes and power quality standards. Hence, grid synchronization unit plays important role for grid connected SPV systems. As the output of the PV array is fluctuating in nature with the meteorological parameters like irradiance, temperature, wind etc. In order to maintain a constant DC voltage at VSC (Voltage Source Converter) input, MPPT control is required to track the maximum power point from PV array. In this work, a variable step size P & O (Perturb and Observe) MPPT technique with DC/DC boost converter has been used at first stage of the system. This algorithm divides the dPpv/dVpv curve of PV panel into three separate zones i.e. zone 0, zone 1 and zone 2. A fine value of tracking step size is used in zone 0 while zone 1 and zone 2 requires a large value of step size in order to obtain a high tracking speed. Further, adaptive notch filter based control technique is proposed for VSC in PV generation system. Adaptive notch filter (ANF) approach is used to synchronize the interfaced PV system with grid to maintain the amplitude, phase and frequency parameters as well as power quality improvement. This technique offers the compensation of harmonics current and reactive power with both linear and nonlinear loads. To maintain constant DC link voltage a PI controller is also implemented and presented in this paper. The complete system has been designed, developed and simulated using SimPower System and Simulink toolbox of MATLAB. The performance analysis of three phase grid connected solar photovoltaic system has been carried out on the basis of various parameters like PV output power, PV voltage, PV current, DC link voltage, PCC (Point of Common Coupling) voltage, grid voltage, grid current, voltage source converter current, power supplied by the voltage source converter etc. The results obtained from the proposed system are found satisfactory.
Abstract: We introduce a new model called the Marshall-Olkin Rayleigh distribution which extends the Rayleigh distribution using Marshall-Olkin transformation and has increasing and decreasing shapes for the hazard rate function. Various structural properties of the new distribution are derived including explicit expressions for the moments, generating and quantile function, some entropy measures, and order statistics are presented. The model parameters are estimated by the method of maximum likelihood and the observed information matrix is determined. The potentiality of the new model is illustrated by means of a simulation study.
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a Finite Element
based vibration analysis of a solar powered Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle (UAV). The purpose of this paper was to quantify the free
vibration, forced vibration response due to differing point inputs in
order to predict the relative response magnitudes and frequencies at
various wing locations of vibration induced power generators
(magnet in coil) excited by gust and/or control surface pulse-decays
used to help power the flight of the electric UAV. A Fluid Structure
Interaction (FSI) study was performed in order to ascertain pertinent
design stresses and deflections as well as aerodynamic parameters of
the UAV airfoil. The 10 ft span airfoil is modeled using Mylar as the
primary material. Results show that the free mode in bending is 4.8
Hz while the first forced bending mode is on range of 16.2 to 16.7 Hz
depending on the location of excitation. The free torsional bending
mode is 28.3 Hz, and the first forced torsional mode is range of 26.4
to 27.8 Hz, depending on the location of excitation. The FSI results
predict the coefficients of aerodynamic drag and lift of 0.0052 and
0.077, respectively, which matches hand-calculations used to validate
the Finite Element based results. FSI based maximum von Mises
stresses and deflections were found to be 0.282 MPa and 3.4 mm,
respectively. Dynamic pressures on the airfoil range from 1.04 to
1.23 kPa corresponding to velocity magnitudes in range of 22 to 66
m/s.