Development of an FPGA-based gate signal generator for a multilevel inverter

The application of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in the development of power electronics circuits control scheme has drawn much attention lately due to its shorter design cycle, lower cost and higher density. This paper presents an FPGA-based gate signal generator for a multilevel inverter employing an online optimal PWM switching strategy to control its output voltage. FPGA is chosen for the hardware implementation of the switching strategy mainly due to its high computation speed that can ensure the accuracy of the instants that gating signals are generated. The gate signal generator has been realized by an FPGA (FLEXlOKZO) from Altera. The design and development of the FPGA based gate signal generator is described in detail. Results from the timing simulation using MAX+PLUSII software are given and verified by the results obtained from the FLEXlOK2O output

Behaviours of natural organic matter in membrane filtration for surface water treatment : a review

Membrane application in surface water treatment provides many advantages over conventional treatment. However, this effort is hampered by the fouling issue, which restricts its widespread application due to increases in hydraulic resistances, operational and maintenance costs, deterioration of productivity and frequency of membrane regeneration problems. This paper discusses natural organic matter (NOM) and its components as the major membrane foulants that occur during the water filtration process, possible fouling mechanisms relating to reversible and irreversible of NOM fouling, current techniques used to characterize fouling mechanisms and methods to control fouling. Feed properties, membrane characteristics, operational conditions and solution chemistry were also found to strongly influence the nature and extent of NOM fouling. Findings of such studies are highlighted. The understanding of the combined roles of controlling factors and the methods used is very important in order to choose and optimize the best technique and conditions during surface water treatment. The future potential of membrane application for NOM removal is also discussed

Probing streets and the built environment with ambient and community sensing

Data has become an important currency in todays world economy. Ephemeral and real-time data from Twitter, Facebook, Google, urban sensors, weather stations, and the Web contain hidden patterns of the city that are useful for informing architectural and urban design

Pengaruh Brand Image Dan Perceived Quality Terhadap Kepuasan Dan Loyalitas Pelanggan Mobil Toyota Di Surabaya

The purpose of this research study is to know about influence of brandimage and perceived quality to consumen\u27s satisfaction and loyalty Toyota\u27s car in Surabaya.The type of this research is causal research.This research samples takes among peoples as owner or user Toyota\u27s car. The sampling technique are using convenience sampling.The analysis technique is using structural equation model (SEM). The result of this research shows thatbrandimage has a significant effect customer satisfaction, perceived quality has a significant effect on customer satisfaction, and customer satisfaction has a significant effect on customer loyalty

Relationship Between Child Survival and Malaria Transmission: An Analysis of the Malaria Transmission Intensity and Mortality Burden Across Africa (MTIMBA) Project Data in Rufiji Demographic Surveillance System, Tanzania.

The precise nature of the relationship between malaria mortality and levels of transmission is unclear. Due to methodological limitations, earlier efforts to assess the linkage have lead to inconclusive results. The malaria transmission intensity and mortality burden across Africa (MTIMBA) project initiated by the INDEPTH Network collected longitudinally entomological data within a number of sites in sub-Saharan Africa to study this relationship. This work linked the MTIMBA entomology database with the routinely collected vital events within the Rufiji Demographic Surveillance System to analyse the transmission-mortality relation in the region. Bayesian Bernoulli spatio-temporal Cox proportional hazards models with village clustering, adjusted for age and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), were fitted to assess the relation between mortality and malaria transmission measured by entomology inoculation rate (EIR). EIR was predicted at household locations using transmission models and it was incorporated in the model as a covariate with measure of uncertainty. Effects of covariates estimated by the model are reported as hazard ratios (HR) with 95% Bayesian confidence interval (BCI) and spatial and temporal parameters are presented. Separate analysis was carried out for neonates, infants and children 1-4 years of age. No significant relation between all-cause mortality and intensity of malaria transmission was indicated at any age in childhood. However, a strong age effect was shown. Comparing effects of ITN and EIR on mortality at different age categories, a decrease in protective efficacy of ITN was observed (i.e. neonates: HR = 0.65; 95% BCI: 0.39-1.05; infants: HR = 0.72; 95% BCI:0.48-1.07; children 1-4 years: HR = 0.88; 95% BCI: 0.62-1.23) and reduction on the effect of malaria transmission exposure was detected (i.e. neonates: HR = 1.15; 95% BCI:0.95-1.36; infants: HR = 1.13; 95% BCI:0.98-1.25; children 1-4 years: HR = 1.04; 95% BCI:0.89-1.18). A very strong spatial correlation was also observed. These results imply that assessing the malaria transmission-mortality relation involves more than the knowledge on the performance of interventions and control measures. This relation depends on the levels of malaria endemicity and transmission intensity, which varies significantly between different settings. Thus, sub-regions analyses are necessary to validate and assess reproducibility of findings

CAUSALITY AND DYNAMICS OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND OUTPUT: EVIDENCE FROM NON-OECD ASIAN COUNTRIES

This article examines the short-run and long-run causal relationship between energy consumption and output in six non-OECD Asian developing countries. Standard time series econometrics is used for this purpose. Based on cointegration and vector error correction modeling, the empirical result shows a bi-directional causality between energy consumption and income in Malaysia, while a unidirectional causality from output to energy consumption in China and Thailand and energy consumption to output in India and Pakistan. Bangladesh remains as an energy neutral economy confirming the fact that it is one of the lowest energy consuming countries in Asia. Both the generalized variance decompositions and the impulse response functions confirm the direction of causality in these countries. These findings have important policy implications for concerned countries. Countries like China and Thailand may contribute to the fight against global warming directly implementing energy conservation measures whereas India and Pakistan may focus on technological developments and mitigation policies. For Malaysia, a balanced combination of alternative policies seems to be appropriate.Energy Conservation, Cointegration, Error Correction Model, Generalized Variance Decompositions, Generalized Impulse Response Functions

Zona Kerentanan Filariasis Berdasarkan Faktor Risiko dengan Pendekatan Sistem Informasi Geografis

Latar Belakang: Filariasis merupakan penyakit menular yang disebabkan oleh cacing filaria (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi dan Brugia timori) yang ditularkan melalui vektor nyamuk. Data WHO menyebutkan lebih dari 1.4 miliar penduduk dunia tinggal di daerah yang berisiko terinfeksi filariasis yang tersebar di 73 negara termasuk Indonesia. Filariasis di Indonesia tersebar pada 418 kabupaten/ kota dan 235 kabupaten/ kota ditetapkan sebagai daerah endemis dengan jumlah kasus 14.932. Kabupaten Agam merupakan salah satu daerah endemis filariasis tertinggi di Provinsi Sumatera Barat dengan prevalensi kasus sebesar 12,63 per 100.000. Kondisi lingkungannya terdiri dari pegunungan, dataran rendah, sungai, danau, perkebunan, dan persawahan.Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengimplementasikan penggunaan sistem informasi geografis untuk pemetaan kerentanan wilayah berdasarkan faktor risiko kejadian filariasis di Kabupaten Agam.Metode: Penelitian ini bersifat observasional analitik dengan menggunakan desain penelitian case control study. Penelitian ini menggunakan sampel sebanyak 36 kasus dan 36 kontrol dengan total 72 sampel. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis univariat, bivariat, multivariat dan analisis kerentanan wilayah secara spasial.Hasil: Sistem Informasi Geografis (SIG) dapat membantu dalam menentukan tingkat kerentanan wilayah terhadap kejadian filariasis di Kabupaten Agam. Hasil statistik menemukan bahwa faktor sosial ekonomi yaitu tingkat pendidikan rendah (OR: 4.52), tingkat pengetahuan rendah (OR: 4.14), pekerjaan sebagai petani, buruh dan nelayan (OR: 4.38), dan tingkat penghasilan rendah (OR: 4.43) merupakan faktor risiko kejadian filariasis di Kabupaten Agam. Faktor perilaku masyarakat yaitu kebiasaan keluar malam hari (OR: 3.75) dan memelihara hewan reservoir (OR: 3.57) merupakan faktor risiko kejadian filariasis di Kabupaten Agam. Faktor lingkungan yaitu keberadaan perkebunan (OR: 19.46) sebagai tempat perkembangbiakan nyamuk merupakan faktor risiko kejadian filariasis di Kabupaten Agam. Berdasarkan analisis multivariat yang menjadi faktor risiko yaitu keberadaan perkebunan (OR: 19.46). Jenis vektor yang ditemukan yaitu Culex (67.26%), Aedes (18.06%), Armigeres (14.19%) dan Anopheles (0.48%). Pengelompokkan (Clustering) kejadian filariasis ditemukan pada daerah Subang – Subang dan Muaro Putuih. Zona atau wilayah yang memiliki kerentanan diantaranya yaitu Kecamatan Tanjung Mutiara, Lubuk Basung, IV Nagari, Palembayan, Palupuh, Baso dan IV Koto.Kesimpulan: Faktor risiko kejadian filariasis di Kabupaten Agam yaitu tingkat pendidikan rendah, tingkat pengetahuan rendah, pekerjaan (petani, buruh dan nelayan), tingkat penghasilan rendah, kebiasaan keluar malam hari, memelihara hewan reservoir, dan keberadaan perkebunan sebagai tempat perkembangbiakan nyamuk. Sedangkan faktor risiko yang paling berpengaruh yaitu keberadaan perkebunan (≤ 200 meter) dari tempat tinggal responden. Jenis vektor filaria di Kabupaten Agam yaitu Culex, Armigeres, Aedes dan Anopheles. Tingkat kerentanan wilayah dan pengelompokkan (Clustering) kejadian filariasis diketahui melalui penggunaan Sistem Informasi Geografis

Construction Site Workers’ Awareness on Using Safety Equipment : Case Study

Construction sector is an important sector and contributed significantly to national development. However, this sector poses higher risk to accident. This is due to fact that construction site can be considered as a dangerous zone to workers and to the public. Due to the variety of cases occurs on site, the contractor will usually have to pay the cost related to accidents in the form of higher insurance premium. Despite various measures, accidents still occur at construction sites. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one of the important means to protect the wearer from hazards in the workplace. Since this equipment is the last frontier of the wearer from worksite hazards, it is important to select it based on the job scope and the intended protection. Therefore, this study was formulated to find out the level of knowledge and awareness of construction workers on PPE usage. It was also important to know what make the workers would want or do not want to use the PPE. It was found in this study that the level of awareness and knowledge among workers on the proper use of PPE is moderate. Construction sites accident can be further be reduced with proper implementation of PPE voluntarily by all workers