Volume 2, Issue 6, September 2011


CPECAEE: Collaboration Platform for Extra Curricular Activities in the E-learning Environment

M. Farhan, S. S. Muhammad, M. Anwar and A. Q. Mohsin

Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Academics Department Computer Science Section, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract– Virtual university of Pakistan is the first E-learning University in the country which is working in more than hundred cities of Pakistan and providing quality education to more than 60,000 students. Currently the university is using a learning management system named as Virtual University Learning Management Systems VULMS, which is providing a collaboration platform to the teachers and students for curricular activities. Using the current platform the teacher can create and manage course contents, and grade assignments and quizzes. Discussion board of VULMS provides the collaboration platform to the students on specified lectures of the courses. This platform (VULMS) does not provide any facility for extra-curricular activities. We will use a tool for extra curricular activities and gather the data to show how extra-curricular activities can enhance the growth of students. Extra curricular activities help in improving the mental health of the students. The tutor manages student interaction in these activities. Integration of this tool is proposed for the better collaboration of students in the e-learning environment for their professional and personnel development.

Keywords—: e-Learning, Collaboration Platform, Extra Curricular Activities and Learning Management System

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Two-Stage Stochastic DCOPF Approach Considering Minimum Load Curtailment

Mohammad Sadegh Javadi

Department of Electrical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars, Iran

Abstract– In this paper a two-stage stochastic DC Optimal Power Flow (DCOPF) methodology is presented which considers the curtailed load value. Mathematical formulation and optimization problem in both stochastic and deterministic ones also are presented in this paper. A simple mathematical representation of the two-stage stochastic programming is developed. This paper utilizes the Incidence Matrix Approach (IMA) to reformulation the traditional DCOPF. Uncertain parameter which is addressed in this paper is load profile, which is depend on multifarious objects, such as weather, temperature and etc; and short-term load forecasts, also are sensitive to temporal behavior and weather. This paper considers multiple discrete probabilities for these kinds of load demands and corresponding problem representation is addressed. Detailed results from an illustrative example and a case study are presented and discussed. The simulation results show that the presented method is both satisfactory and consistent with expectation. Finally, some relevant conclusions are drawn.

Keywords—Stochastic Programming, DCOPF, Incidence Matrix and Load Curtailment

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Wireless Mobile Ad-hoc- shortest Path Routing in Delay Tolerant Networks

N. Prasanna Balaji, U. Sreenivasulu, Anjaneyulu N. and N. Indira Priyadarishini

Kakatiya University, Warangal, India
Department of Information Technology, Gurunanak Engineering College, India

Abstract– Opportunistic delay tolerant networks are organized by the sporadic connectivity between their nodes and the lack of stable paths from sender to receiver. Future connections are mostly unknown in these networks sending used to deliver the messages with effective forwarding data i.e., average intermeeting time between nodes to avoid risks or intrusion, attacks. Our proposed system analysis the novel metric conditional intermeeting average time computes duration of time between two nodes relative to meet the third node only local knowledge of past contacts. In this work we survey the routing protocols in wireless sensor networks, applications of MANETs and compares the metric based algorithms for delay tolerant networks is existing one.

Keywords—Wireless Sensor Networks, MANETs, Routing and Delay Tolerant Networks

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Numerical Analysis of Thermal Profile in Plasma Arc Cutting

Ali. Moarrefzadeh

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mahshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr, Iran

Abstract– Plasma arc cutting (PAC) is a process that is used to cut steel and other metals of different thicknesses (or sometimes other materials) using a plasma torch. In this process, an inert gas (in some units, compressed air) is blown at high speed out of a nozzle; at the same time an electrical arc is formed through that gas from the nozzle to the surface being cut, turning some of that gas to plasma. The plasma is sufficiently hot to melt the metal being cut and moves sufficiently fast to blow molten metal away from the cut. The thermal effect of Plasma Arc that specially depends on the plasma, gas type and temperature field of it in workpiece, is the main key of analysis and optimization of this process, from which the main goal of this paper has been defined. Numerical simulation of process by ANSYS software for gaining the temperature field of workpiece, the effect of parameter variation on temperature field and process optimization for different cases of plasma Arc are done.

Keywords—Numerical Analysis, Plasma Arc, PAC, ANSYS, Temperature Field and Workpiece

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Investigating Decision Making Styles, Proposing a Decision Making Tree and Applying QFD as a Decision Making Tool in a Company Developing Laser Systems

Hassan Ali, Irfan A. Manarvi and Ahsan Amir Khan

Department of Engineering Management, Center of Advanced Studies in Engineering, Islamabad-44000, Pakistan

Abstract– Inadequate decision making styles and lack of involvement of employees in any organization can even make the use of advanced technologies ineffective. It may lead towards instability of business due to loss of customers, poor quality and a gap between the thinking framework of higher management and lower staff. A shift from conventional decision making styles towards a systematic employee involvement based decision making style is compulsory for the successful use of non-conventional advanced technologies. This study investigates the decision making style of the employees working in an institute of laser systems development by an interview survey; based on a standard questionnaire tool and analyzing the results on SPSS 17. Furthermore a decision tree model for involvement of employees in decision making is proposed. This study also presents a QFD based decision making technique for development of laser systems in a range between 50 W to 2.5 KW. The fact was established that the major decision making style among the employees is rational and their contribution in the decision making process can lead to success of QFD model. So participation of employees is regarded as a pre-requisite for the successful implementation of quality function deployment.

Keywords—QFD, Decision making styles, Decision Trees, Employee Involvement, CO2 Laser Systems and Customer Satisfaction

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Analysis of Fracture Mode of Galvanized Low Carbon Steel Resistance Spot Welds

M. Pouranvari

Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Department, Dezful Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dezful, Iran

Abstract– Failure mode is a qualitative measure of resistance spot weld (RSW) performance. To ensure reliability of resistance spot welds during vehicle lifetime, process parameters should be adjusted so that the pullout failure mode is guaranteed. In this paper, failure mode of galvanized low carbon steel resistance spot welds is studied under quasi-static tensile-shear test. Results should that increasing welding current alters failure mode from interfacial to pullout failure mode. Considering the failure location and failure mechanism in the tensile shear test, minimum required fusion zone size to ensure the pullout failure mode was estimated using an analytical model.

Keywords—Resistance Spot Welding, Galvanized Steel and Failure Mode

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Traffic Management – Framework for Sensor Networks with Sink Mobility

N. Prasanna Balaji, Rajeshekar Reddy, P. Jhansi and G. Ravi Kumar

Kakatiya University, Warangal, India
Department of Information Technology, Gurunanak Engineering College, India

Abstract– Sink Mobility is a imminent growth sensing environments promotes the increasing number of event based, sensor network applications including rescue missions, intrusion detection and smart buildings. Most of critical challenges supporting quality of service is effective in distributed congestion avoidance in these setting. In this paper the problem of traffic management in the sensor networks with a mobile sink, under sink mobility various novel challenges arise need to be addressed. We first analysis the sink mobility on traffic load in sensor networks, then propose adaptive routing, agile and load estimation techniques that effectively adapt to sink mobility relocations. A novel aspect of our technique is that it jointly considers the network load as well as path quality variations to facilitate intelligent, mobility-adaptive rate regulation at the sources. We provide a thorough study of the trade-offs induced due to persistent path quality variations and conduct extensive real MICA2-based test bed experiments to study the performance of the sensor network under sink mobility.

Keywords—Wireless Sensor Networks, Mobility and Congestion Control

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Fault Tree Analysis Approach in Reliability Assessment of Power System

Mohammad Sadegh Javadi, Azim Nobakht and Ali Meskarbashee

Department of Electrical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fars,Iran
Department of Electrical Engineering, Mahshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr, Iran

Abstract– This paper surveys on a reliability technique which is called Fault Tree Analysis (FTA). FTA is a top-down approach to failure analysis, starting with a potential undesirable event (accident) called a TOP event, and then determining all the ways it can happen. The analysis proceeds by determining how the TOP event can be caused by individual or combined lower level failures or events. In power system analysis this approach could maintain the static analysis of the system. The causes of the TOP event are “connected” through logic gates and modeling of the corresponding system. In this paper main features and application of this technique are discussed.

Keywords—Fault Tree Analysis, Reliability Analysis, Boolean Algebra and Failure Analysis

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Finite-Element Simulation of Electron Beam Machining (EBM) Process

Ali. Moarrefzadeh

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mahshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr, Iran

Abstract– Electron beam is generated in an electron beam gun. The construction and working principle of the electron beam gun would be discussed in the next section. Electron beam gun provides high velocity electrons over a very small spot size. Electron Beam Machining is required to be carried out in vacuum. Otherwise the electrons would interact with the air molecules, thus they would loose their energy and cutting ability. The thermal effect of Electron Beam that specially depends on the electrical arc, Electron type and temperature field of it in workpiece, is the main key of analysis and optimization of this process, from which the main goal of this paper has been defined. Numerical simulation of process process by ANSYS software for gaining the temperature field of workpiece, the effect of parameter variation on temperature field and process optimization for different cases of Electron Beam are done. The influence of the process parameter for each mode on the dimensions and shape of the machining and on their ferrite contents is investigated.

Keywords—Finite-Element, Electron, EBM, FSI, ANSYS, Temperature Field and Workpiece

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A Metadata Based Parametric Comparison of Information Retrieval Models for Satellite Images

Uzma Ashiq, Amjad Farooq and Muhammad Abuzar Fahiem

Department of Computer Science, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract– The domain of information retrieval is becoming more and more complicated with the ever increased volume of data. The domain gets even more complicated when spatial databases are to be processed. Spatial databases contain images which require heavy processing to retrieve desired information. A solution to reduce this heavy processing and to get lower computations is in tagging the images on the basis of metadata. In this paper, we have focused on satellite images and metadata tags associated with these images, for efficient retrieval of information. We have compared various information retrieval models suitable for satellite images. The models compared are; Linear Model, Finite State Model, Bayesian Network Based Model, and Rigorous Model. These models are compared on Region, Weather, Agriculture, Building, Road, Water and Land metadata tags.

Keywords—Information Retrieval, Satellite Images, Metadata, Indexing and Spatial Data

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Effect of Welding Current on the Mechanical Response of Resistance Spot Welds of Unequal Thickness Steel Sheets in Tensile-Shear Loading Condition

M. Pouranvari

Materials and Metallurgical Engineering Department, Dezful Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dezful, Iran

Abstract– Resistance spot welding is the dominant welding process in sheet metal joining particularly in automotive industry. Despite various applications of dissimilar thickness resistance spot welding in car body, reports in the literature dealing with their mechanical behavior are limited. This paper investigates the effect of welding current, as the main resistance spot welding process parameters, on the weld nugget attributes and mechanical performance of resistance spot welds of 1.25 to 2.5 mm thick low carbon steel sheets. The mechanical properties of the welds were described in terms of peak load and failure energy. Results showed that in contrast to spot welding of sheets with similar thickness, a Pear- like shape of the weld nugget was formed due to heat unbalance resulted from difference in bulk resistively of the sheets. In RSW, heat balance can be defined as a condition in which the fusion zones in both pieces being joined undergo approximately the same degree It was concluded that there is a direct correlation between peak load (and energy absorption) and (fusion zone size × weld penetration).

Keywords—Resistance Spot Welding, Unequal Sheets, Peak Load and Failure Energy

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Important Thermodynamic Concept

Amir Vosough and Sadeghvosough

Department of Mechanics, Mahshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr, Iran

Abstract– In this paper about the important concept of thermodynamic as exergy, entropy, first and second law of thermodynamic, industrial ecology and their application has been discussed. In thermodynamics, the exergy of a system is the maximum useful work possible during a process that brings the system into equilibrium with a heat reservoir and entropy is a thermodynamic property that can be used to determine the energy available for useful work in a thermodynamic process, such as in energy conversion devices, engines, or machines. The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed and the second law of thermodynamics is an expression of the tendency that over time, differences in temperature, pressure, and chemical potential equilibrate in an isolated physical system. Industrial Ecology (IE) is the study of material and energy flows through industrial systems. The global industrial economy can be modeled as a network of industrial processes that extract resources from the Earth and transform those resources into commodities which can be bought and sold to meet the needs of humanity. Industrial ecology seeks to quantify the material flows and document the industrial processes that make modern society function.

Keywords—Thermodynamic, Concept, Exergy and Industrial Ecology

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Evaluation of Perikinetics Compliance for the coag-flocculation of Brewery Effluent by Brachystegia eurycoma Seed Extract

*Menkiti Matthew C., Onyechi Chinenye A. and Onukwuli Dominic .O.

Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Abstract– This work subjects at room temperature the coag-flocculation behavior of Brachystegia eurycoma coag-flocculant (BEC) to perikinetic system at varying dosage and Brewery effluent (BRE) pH. The study employed standard nephelometric jar test while BEC production was based on method reported by Ghebremichael. Perikinetic data generated were fitted to specific models for the determination of parameters such as reaction order, rate constant, period etc. Results indicate that reaction order, rate constant, period, pH and dosage recorded optimum values at 2, 5x10-5 l/mg.min, 4.063 minutes, 10 and 100mg/l, respectively. Maximum efficiency recorded at 95.510% for 30minutes indicates that the system is perikinetic controlled. The results have established at the conditions of the experiment the use of BEC for the removal of particles from BRE.

Keywords—Brachystegia eurycoma, Brewery Effluent, Coag-flocculation and Perikinetics

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Application of Schlumberger Vertical Electrical Sounding for Determination of Suitable Sites for Construction of Boreholes for Irrigation Scheme within a Basement Complex

J. Raimi, M. S. Abdulkarim, Hamidu, I.,and A. S. Arabi

Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria
Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria
Department of Geology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria
Physics Section, Department of Applied Science, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna-Nigeria

Abstract– In a bid to provide sustainable water supply for the proposed irrigation scheme at Tudun-dawa, Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) were carried out with the aim of suggesting suitable sites for construction of boreholes. The Sting Resistivity/IP meter was used to acquire the data while the 1D Earth Imager iterative software was used to process the acquired data. With borehole information as control, the interpretation revealed the subsurface geology of the study area in succession of four subsurface resistivity layers. With the equivalent geologic layers that suggest the weathered and the underlain fractured basement as the aquiferous layers, sites that will provide appreciable volume of water were suggested base on vertical and lateral extent of the aquiferous layers.

Keywords—Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES), Boreholes, Resistivity Layers and Aaquifer

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