Abstract: Changing technology and increased constituent
demand for government services derive the need for governmental
responsiveness. The government organisations in the developing
countries will be under increased pressure to change their
bureaucratic systems to be able to respond rapidly to changing and
increasing requirements and rapid technology advancements. This
paper aims to present a conceptual framework for explaining the
main barriers and drivers of public e-service development. Therefore,
the framework provides a basic context within which the process and
practice of E-Service can be implemented successfully in the public
sector organisations. The framework is flexible enough to be adopted
by governments at different levels; national or local by developing
countries around the world.
Abstract: A macroscopic constitutive equation is developed for a high-density cellulose insulation material with emphasis on the outof- plane stress relaxation behavior. A hypothesis is proposed where the total stress is additively composed by an out-of-plane visco-elastic isotropic contribution and an in-plane elastic orthotropic response. The theory is validated against out-of-plane stress relaxation, compressive experiments and in-plane tensile hysteresis, respectively. For large scale finite element simulations, the presented model provides a balance between simplicity and capturing the materials constitutive behaviour.
Abstract: The effectiveness of consuming a nutrient fortified oat drink on iron, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C status was assessed among a cohort of school-aged Filipino children. Ultimate study implementation permitted only a within-subject comparison of change in nutritional status after four months of consuming a nutrient fortified oat drink. Thirty-eight anemic children (5-8 years) consumed an oat drink fortified with iron as NaFeEDTA, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin C for 120 days. Height, weight, serum nutrient levels, anemia status and dietary intake were assessed pre and post intervention. Thirty-four anemic children completed the intervention. After 4 months of intervention, prevalence of anemia decreased by 68% and significant improvements in iron and vitamin A status were observed. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of the fortified oat drink in alleviating anemia in young children and highlight the value of fortification programs
Abstract: In a competitive energy market, system reliability
should be maintained at all times. Power system operation being of
online in nature, the energy balance requirements must be satisfied to
ensure reliable operation the system. To achieve this, information
regarding the expected status of the system, the scheduled
transactions and the relevant inputs necessary to make either a
transaction contract or a transmission contract operational, have to be
made available in real time. The real time procedure proposed,
facilitates this. This paper proposes a quadratic curve learning
procedure, which enables a generator-s contribution to the retailer
demand, power loss of transaction in a line at the retail end and its
associated losses for an oncoming operating scenario to be predicted.
Matlab program was used to test in on a 24-bus IEE Reliability Test
System, and the results are found to be acceptable.
Abstract: Raw wood vinegar was purified by both standing and
filtering methods. Toxicity tests were conducted under laboratory
conditions by the topical application method (contact poison) and
feeding method (stomach poison). Larvicidal activities of wood
vinegar at four different concentrations (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 %)
were studied against second instar larvae of housefly (Musca
domestica L.). Four replicates were maintained for all treatments and
controls. Larval mortality was recorded up to 96 hours and compared
with the larval survivability by two methods of larvicidal bioassay.
Percent pupation and percent adult emergence were observed in
treated M. domestica. The study revealed that the feeding method
gave higher efficiency compared with the topical application method.
Larval mortality increased with increasing concentration of wood
vinegar and the duration of exposure. No mortality was found in
treated M. domestica larvae at minimum 10% concentration of wood
vinegar through the experiments. The treated larvae were maintained
up to pupa and adult emergence. At 30% maximum concentration
larval duration was extended to 11 days in M. domestica for topical
application method and 9 days for feeding method. Similarly the
pupal durations were also increased with increased concentrations
(16 and 24 days for topical application method and feeding method
respectively at 30% concentration) of the treatments.
Abstract: We assert here that there might be some factors that
influence professional identity construction at the university/higher
education stage. In accord, we propose a conceptual framework of
intervening factors in professional identity construction at university
from a literature review and preliminary data from a qualitative pilot
study using focus groups. This model identifies several factors that
might influence university students- professional identity
construction and group them into categories. In turn, we describe
how these factors might contribute in strengthening or weakening
their professional identity. Finally, we discuss the implications of
strengthening students- PI for the university, individuals and
organizations and we provide a roadmap for future empirical work in
this area.
Abstract: Optimal routing in communication networks is a
major issue to be solved. In this paper, the application of Tabu Search
(TS) in the optimum routing problem where the aim is to minimize
the computational time and improvement of quality of the solution in
the communication have been addressed. The goal is to minimize the
average delays in the communication. The effectiveness of Tabu
Search method is shown by the results of simulation to solve the
shortest path problem. Through this approach computational cost can
be reduced.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a solution to the motion
control problem of a 2-link revolute manipulator arm. We require the
end-effector of the arm to move safely to its designated target in a
priori known workspace cluttered with fixed circular obstacles of
arbitrary position and sizes. Firstly a unique velocity algorithm is
used to move the end-effector to its target. Secondly, for obstacle
avoidance a turning angle is designed, which when incorporated into
the control laws ensures that the entire robot arm avoids any number
of fixed obstacles along its path enroute the target. The control laws
proposed in this paper also ensure that the equilibrium point of the
system is asymptotically stable. Computer simulations of the
proposed technique are presented.
Abstract: In this paper, genetic algorithm (GA) opmization technique is applied to design Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS)-based damping controllers. Two types of controller structures, namely a proportional-integral (PI) and a lead-lag (LL) are considered. The design problem of the proposed controllers is formulated as an optimization problem and GA is employed to search for optimal controller parameters. By minimizing the time-domain based objective function, in which the deviation in the oscillatory rotor speed of the generator is involved; stability performance of the system is improved. The proposed controllers are tested on a weakly connected power system subjected to different disturbances. The non-linear simulation results are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller and their ability to provide efficient damping of low frequency oscillations. It is also observed that the proposed SSSC-based controllers improve greatly the voltage profile of the system under severe disturbances. Further, the dynamic performances of both the PI and LL structured FACTS-controller are analyzed at different loading conditions and under various disturbance condition as well as under unbalanced fault conditions..
Abstract: The present work deals with thermodynamic analysis
of cascade refrigeration system using ozone friendly refrigerants pair
R507A and R23. R507A is azeotropic mixture composed of HFC
refrigerants R125/R143a (50%/50% wt.). R23 is a single component
HFC refrigerant used as replacement to CFC refrigerant R13 in low
temperature applications. These refrigerants have zero ozone
depletion potential and are non-flammable and as R507A an
azeotropic mixture there is no problem of temperature glide. This
study thermodynamically analyzed R507A-R23 cascade refrigeration
system to optimize the design and operating parameters of the
system. The design and operating parameters include: Condensing,
evaporating, subcooling and superheating temperatures in the high
temperature circuit, temperature difference in the cascade heat
exchanger, Condensing, evaporating, subcooling and superheating
temperatures in the low temperature circuit.
Abstract: Active research is underway on virtual touch screens
that complement the physical limitations of conventional touch
screens. This paper discusses a virtual touch screen that uses a
multi-layer perceptron to recognize and control three-dimensional
(3D) depth information from a time of flight (TOF) camera. This
system extracts an object-s area from the image input and compares it
with the trajectory of the object, which is learned in advance, to
recognize gestures. The system enables the maneuvering of content in
virtual space by utilizing human actions.
Abstract: Polymeric microreactors have emerged as a new
generation of carriers that hold tremendous promise in the areas of
cancer therapy, controlled delivery of drugs, for removal of
pollutants etc. Present work reports a simple and convenient
methodology for synthesis of polystyrene and poly caprolactone
microreactors. An aqueous suspension of carboxylated (1μm)
polystyrene latex particles was mixed with toluene solution followed
by freezing with liquid nitrogen. Freezed particles were incubated at
-20°C and characterized for formation of voids on the surface of
polymer microspheres by Field Emission Scanning Electron
Microscope. The hollow particles were then overnight incubated at
40ºC with unfunctionalized quantum dots (QDs) in 5:1 ratio. QDs
Encapsulated polystyrene microcapsules were characterized by
fluorescence microscopy.
Likewise Poly ε-caprolactone microreactors were prepared by
micro-volcanic rupture of freeze dried microspheres synthesized
using emulsification of polymer with aqueous Poly vinyl alcohol and
freezed with liquid nitrogen. Microreactors were examined with Field
Emission Scanning Electron Microscope for size and morphology.
Current study is an attempt to create hollow polymer particles which
can be employed for microencapsulation of nanoparticles and drug
molecules.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to compare the innovativeness, risk taking, and focusing on opportunity of the nurse managers and nurses. The data are collected from nurse managers and nurses in Ondokuz Mayıs University, Faculty of Medicine Hospital and Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine Hospital. The study sample consisted of 151 participants, 76 nurse managers (50.3%) and 75 nurses (49.7%). All participants have been assessed by Participant Information Form and Corporate Entrepreneurship Scale. In data analysis, independent t-test has applied. The results show that there are significant differences between nurse managers and nurses on innovativeness (t = 2.42, p < 0.05), risk taking (t = 3.62, p < 0.01), and focusing on opportunity (t = 2.16, p < 0.05). Consequently, it can be said that nurse managers have more innovativeness than nurses and tend to take more risks and focus more on opportunities.
Abstract: The evolution of ICT has changed all sections of society and these changes have been creating an irreversible impact on higher education institutions, which are expected to adopt innovative technologies in their teaching practices. As theorical framework this study select Rogers theory of innovation diffusion which is widely used to illustrate how technologies move from a localized invented to a widespread evolution on organizational practices. Based on descriptive statistical data collected in a European higher education institution three years longitudinal study was conducted for analyzing and discussion the different stages of a LMS adoption process. Results show that ICT integration in higher education is not progressively successful and a linear process and multiple aspects must be taken into account.
Abstract: In textile industry, besides the conventional textile
products, technical textile goods, that have been brought external
functional properties into, are being developed for technical textile
industry. Especially these products produced with weaving
technology are widely preferred in areas such as sports, geology,
medical, automotive, construction and marine sectors. These textile
products are exposed to various stresses and large deformations under
typical conditions of use. At this point, sufficient and reliable data
could not be obtained with uniaxial tensile tests for determination of
the mechanical properties of such products due to mainly biaxial
stress state. Therefore, the most preferred method is a biaxial tensile
test method and analysis. These tests and analysis is applied to fabrics
with different functional features in order to establish the textile
material with several characteristics and mechanical properties of the
product. Planar biaxial tensile test, cylindrical inflation and bulge
tests are generally required to apply for textile products that are used
in automotive, sailing and sports areas and construction industry to
minimize accidents as long as their service life. Airbags, seat belts
and car tires in the automotive sector are also subject to the same
biaxial stress states, and can be characterized by same types of
experiments. In this study, in accordance with the research literature
related to the various biaxial test methods are compared. Results with
discussions are elaborated mainly focusing on the design of a biaxial
test apparatus to obtain applicable experimental data for developing a
finite element model. Sample experimental results on a prototype
system are expressed.
Abstract: The contribution is dealing with the influence of high speed parameters on the quality of machined surface. In general the principle of high speed cutting lies in achieving faster machine times with concurrent increase in accuracy and quality of the machined areas in largely irregular, mathematically hard to define shapes. High speed machining is a highly effective method of machining with the following goals: increasing of machining productivity, increasing of quality of the machined surface, improving of machining economy, improving of ecological aspects of machining. This article is based on an experiment performed by the Department of Machining and Assembly of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of VŠBTechnical University of Ostrava.
Abstract: A large section of the society in Urban India is unable
to afford a basic dwelling unit. Housing shortage due to the rising unafforability makes it logical to consider alternative technologies more seriously for their application How far do these alternative
technologies match up with the conventional techniques? How do these integrate with the present-day need for urban amenities and
facilities? Are the owners of bamboo dwellings, for instance, a part of
the mainstream housing sector, having the same rights and privileges
as those enjoyed by other property owners? Will they have access to loans for building, improving, renovating or repairing their
dwellings? Why do we still hesitate to build a bamboo house for ourselves? Is our policy framework and political resolve in place, to
welcome such alternative technologies? It is time we found these answers, in order to explore the reasons for large-scale nonacceptance,
of a technology proven for its worthiness.
Abstract: Message Passing Interface is widely used for Parallel
and Distributed Computing. MPICH and LAM are popular open
source MPIs available to the parallel computing community also
there are commercial MPIs, which performs better than MPICH etc.
In this paper, we discuss a commercial Message Passing Interface, CMPI
(C-DAC Message Passing Interface). C-MPI is an optimized
MPI for CLUMPS. It is found to be faster and more robust compared
to MPICH. We have compared performance of C-MPI and MPICH
on Gigabit Ethernet network.
Abstract: Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a solid state welding
process invented and patented by The Welding Institute (TWI) in the
United Kingdom in 1991 for butt and lap welding of metals and plastics. This paper highlights the benefits of friction stir welding
process as an energy efficient and a green technology process in the
field of welding. Compared to the other conventional welding processes, its benefits, typical applications and its use in joining
similar and dissimilar materials are also presented.
Abstract: The purpose of this research study is to investigate the manner in which various loads affect the mechanical properties of the formed mild steel plates. The investigation focuses on examining the cross-sectional area of the metal plate at the centre of the formed mild steel plate. Six mild steel plates were deformed with different loads. The loads applied on the plates had a magnitude of 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg, 20 kg, 25 kg and 30 kg. The radius of the punching die was 120 mm and the loads were applied at room temperature. The investigations established that the applied load causes the Vickers microhardness at the cross-sectional area of the plate to increase due to strain hardening. Hence, the percentage increase of the hardness due to the load was found to be directly proportional to the increase in the load. Furthermore, the tensile test results for the parent material showed that the average Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) for the three samples was 308 MPa while the average Yield Strength and Percentage Elongation were 227 MPa and 38 % respectively. Similarly, the UTS of the formed components increased after the deformation of the plate, as such it can be concluded that the forming loads alter the mechanical properties of the materials by improving and strengthening the material properties.