Cyprus Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 2.1 (1998)

Print

List of Abstracts

Evgeny Krustev, Khurso Jalil

“An Intranet Solution for Educational Institutions”

This paper focuses the attention on the fast developing Intranets and their major applications at educational institutions. The characteristics and efficiency of Intranet applications are analyzed and possible ways to implement the Intranet technology for the purpose of raising the quality of education are proposed. The various methods used by Intranets to extract and report information are also summarized. The major ideas in the paper are illustrated through the development of an Intranet application that allows instructors to conduct an examination over the Intranet. This application completely automates the examination procedure, and provides instant feedback in the form of scoring and student reports. Additionally, it can be used to enrich the content of the information that is delivered over the Intranet using various multimedia features, such as pictures, audio or video. The design of this application is presented and its implementation at the Frederick Institute of Technology is discussed.

A. Loizos, G. Kanellaidis and C. Abacoumkin

“Evaluation of pavement distress using factor analysis”

For distress predictions and long-range rehabilitation planning it is important to focus on the study of the aggregation of distress characteristics into groups in such a way as to facilitate the process by reducing the effort involved in the rating procedure. For this purpose the application of factor analysis techniques can provide substantial support towards the identification of fundamental and uncorrelated categories of visible pavement distress. However such a statistical analysis can be a valuable tool only if used properly. In terms of a rather practical approach this paper examines several aspects concerning the applicability of such a technique for the evaluation of representative flexible pavement sections of the Greek urban network. According to the field data analysis it was found that the factor analysis of pavement distress could in some cases respond in a quite sensitive manner providing rather confusing results. To eliminate such discrepancies it is important to implement the statistical analysis in association with a rating methodology suitable for the type of network of the implementation. Although in early stage the authors include also in this work preliminary validation aspects and relevant discussion points following a recent European experience in this area.

G.P. Vlachos & N.C. Fournakakis

“Applications of the new information technology potentials to the merchant marine sector. A case study: improvement in quality of services and the possibilities of operating cost reduction in modern vessels.”

This paper analyses the contribution of electronic and data systems used to improve the qualify of sea transportation and to reduce the operating cost of merchant vessels. It particularly lists the need of computerization of Maritime sector, the possibilities and potentials of electronic Information and defines the criteria for selecting handy software applications for basic types of vessels and Companies. Furthermore, it describes extensively the financial and administrative aspects of installing and operating developed and new information systems. Finally, brief conclusions and clear activity suggestions are made. The main aim of this article is not to enumerate the companies and the programmes that exist in the market, but to present certain facts claiming that contemporary navigator activities in aspects of new information technology is multilateral and boundless. Finally, it aims at registrating possibilities, potentials and further questions concerning electronic information in maritime sector.

Nikoletta Hadjiyiannis

“On the financial management of credit institutions: Banking risks, deposit guarantee and solvency ratio”

The present paper will be dealing with the elaboration of the basic concepts developed in the banking theory and practice with respect to the issues of liquidity and solvency of credit institutions. We have been motivated in working out this study by a number of crucial developments instituted in the European Union, such as:

In this context an attempt will be made to examine the developments market in the theory of financial management of credit institutions, the risks involved with their solvency and the regulation instituted by the supervisory authorities. The published financial statements of the four largest greek credit institutions will serve as an example for the calculation of the solvency ratio. Two different accounting periods will be used for comparison purposes: Figures as of December 31, 1989 and as of December 31, 1995. The provisions of the solvency ratio directive will be applied.

V.A. Shikhin, X. Christodoulides and G.P. Pavluk

”Artificial neural networks application to excitation systems design”

The aim of the paper is to introduce a new approach for the Regions of Required Quality (RRQ) construction under Synchronous Generators Control Systems analysis. The use of the Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) as a tool in suggested computer-aided techniques has been developed by the authors under the name of the Method of Sensitive Border. A feed-forward ANN was applied to obtain a suitable model of RRQ. A neural network model of RRQ's border is accompanied by available information on the performance indices gradients behaviour in the vicinity of a border. Theoretical results were applied for RRQ construction for a 320KW Synchronous Machine supplied with Rhyristor type Excitation System with reference to four control channels. The obtained regions allowed the best combination of tunings to provide the desired levels for appointed performance indices related with output voltage, frequency, power and system stability.

Vsevolod Levtchitch

“Shear capacities of reinforced concrete beams by the European code and standards of different countries”

European model code and standards of the USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, former USSR and Cyprus are analysed and compared. Conceptual philosophy, underlying assumptions, practical procedures, strong sides and shortcomings, sensitivity to various contributing factors, safety provisions and levels of confidence are considered. Simply supported reinforced concrete beams with-and-without shear reinforcement are addressed. Numerical examples performed in accordance with several codes bring into clearer releaf the differences between them. Computational algorithms have been prepared and used for the quantitative analysis.