Abstract: Logistics is part of the supply chain processes that plans, implements, and controls the efficient and effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customer requirements. This research aims to investigate the current status and future direction of the use of Information Technology (IT) for logistics, focusing on Supply Chain Management (SCM) and E-Commerce adoption in Johor. Therefore, this research stresses on the type of technology being adopted, factors, benefits and barriers affecting the innovation in SCM and ECommerce technology adoption among Logistics Service Providers (LSP). A mailed questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from 265 logistics companies in Johor. The research revealed that SCM technology adoption among LSP was higher as they had adopted SCM technology in various business processes while they perceived a high level of benefits from SCM adoption. Obviously, ECommerce technology adoption among LSP is relatively low.
Abstract: The effect of wheat flour extraction rates on flour
composition, farinographic characteristics and the quality of
sourdough naans was investigated. The results indicated that by
increasing the extraction rate, the amount of protein, fiber, fat and
ash increased, whereas moisture content decreased. Farinographic
characteristic like water absorption and dough development time
increased with an increase in flour extraction rate but the dough
stabilities and tolerance indices were reduced with an increase in
flour extraction rates. Titratable acidity for both sourdough and
sourdough naans also increased along with flour extraction rate. The
study showed that overall quality of sourdough naans were affected
by both flour extraction rate and starter culture used. Sensory
analysis of sourdough naans revealed that desirable extraction rate
for sourdough naan was 76%.
Abstract: The object of this research is the design and
evaluation of an immersive Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for
deaf children. Recently we have developed a prototype immersive
VR game to teach sign language mathematics to deaf students age K-
4 [1] [2]. In this paper we describe a significant extension of the
prototype application. The extension includes: (1) user-centered
design and implementation of two additional interactive
environments (a clock store and a bakery), and (2) user-centered
evaluation including development of user tasks, expert panel-based
evaluation, and formative evaluation. This paper is one of the few to
focus on the importance of user-centered, iterative design in VR
application development, and to describe a structured evaluation
method.
Abstract: In this paper the behavior of fixed series compensated
extra high voltage transmission lines during faults is simulated. Many
over-voltage protection schemes for series capacitors are limited in
terms of size and performance, and are easily affected by
environmental conditions. While the need for more compact and
environmentally robust equipment is required. use of series
capacitors for compensating part of the inductive reactance of long
transmission lines increases the power transmission capacity.
Emphasis is given on the impact of modern capacitor protection
techniques (MOV protection). The simulation study is performed
using MATLAB/SIMULINK®and results are given for a three phase
and a single phase to ground fault.
Abstract: This work is an attempt to use the standard Smoothed
Particle Hydrodynamics methodology for the simulation of the
complex unsteady, free-surface flow in a rotating Turgo impulse
water turbine. A comparison of two different geometries was
conducted. The SPH method due to its mesh-less nature is capable of
capturing the flow features appearing in the turbine, without
diffusion at the water/air interface. Furthermore results are compared
with a commercial CFD package (Fluent®) and the SPH algorithm
proves to be capable of providing similar results, in much less time
than the mesh based CFD program. A parametric study was also
performed regarding the turbine inlet angle.
Abstract: Due to the complex network architecture, the mobile
adhoc network-s multihop feature gives additional problems to the
users. When the traffic load at each node gets increased, the
additional contention due its traffic pattern might cause the nodes
which are close to destination to starve the nodes more away from the
destination and also the capacity of network is unable to satisfy the
total user-s demand which results in an unfairness problem. In this
paper, we propose to create an algorithm to compute the optimal
MAC-layer bandwidth assigned to each flow in the network. The
bottleneck links contention area determines the fair time share which
is necessary to calculate the maximum allowed transmission rate used
by each flow. To completely utilize the network resources, we
compute two optimal rates namely, the maximum fair share and
minimum fair share. We use the maximum fair share achieved in
order to limit the input rate of those flows which crosses the
bottleneck links contention area when the flows that are not allocated
to the optimal transmission rate and calculate the following highest
fair share. Through simulation results, we show that the proposed
protocol achieves improved fair share and throughput with reduced
delay.
Abstract: Obfuscation is a low cost software protection
methodology to avoid reverse engineering and re engineering of
applications. Source code obfuscation aims in obscuring the source
code to hide the functionality of the codes. This paper proposes an
Array data transformation in order to obfuscate the source code
which uses arrays. The applications using the proposed data
structures force the programmer to obscure the logic manually. It
makes the developed obscured codes hard to reverse engineer and
also protects the functionality of the codes.
Abstract: This paper describes an optimal approach for feature
subset selection to classify the leaves based on Genetic Algorithm
(GA) and Kernel Based Principle Component Analysis (KPCA). Due
to high complexity in the selection of the optimal features, the
classification has become a critical task to analyse the leaf image
data. Initially the shape, texture and colour features are extracted
from the leaf images. These extracted features are optimized through
the separate functioning of GA and KPCA. This approach performs
an intersection operation over the subsets obtained from the
optimization process. Finally, the most common matching subset is
forwarded to train the Support Vector Machine (SVM). Our
experimental results successfully prove that the application of GA
and KPCA for feature subset selection using SVM as a classifier is
computationally effective and improves the accuracy of the classifier.
Abstract: The thermal, epithermal and fast fluxes were
calculated for three irradiation channels at Egypt Second Research
Reactor (ETRR-2) using CITVAP code. The validity of the
calculations was verified by experimental measurements. There are
some deviations between measurements and calculations. This is due
to approximations in the calculation models used, homogenization of
regions, condensation of energy groups and uncertainty in nuclear
data used. Neutron flux data for the three irradiation channels are
now available. This would enable predicting the irradiation
conditions needed for future radioisotope production.
Abstract: The power consumption of an Optical Packet Switch
equipped with SOA technology based Spanke switching fabric is
evaluated. Sophisticated analytical models are introduced to evaluate
the power consumption versus the offered traffic, the main
switch parameters, and the used device characteristics. The impact
of Amplifier Spontaneous Emission (ASE) noise generated by a
transmission system on the power consumption is investigated. As
a matter of example for 32×32 switches supporting 64 wavelengths
and offered traffic equal to 0,8, the average energy consumption per
bit is 5, 07 · 10-2 nJ/bit and increases if ASE noise introduced by
the transmission systems is increased.
Abstract: The objective of this paper is to use the Pfaffian
technique to construct different classes of exact Pfaffian solutions and
N-soliton solutions to some of the generalized integrable nonlinear
partial differential equations in (3+1) dimensions. In this paper, I will
show that the Pfaffian solutions to the nonlinear PDEs are nothing but
Pfaffian identities. Solitons are among the most beneficial solutions
for science and technology, from ocean waves to transmission of
information through optical fibers or energy transport along protein
molecules. The existence of multi-solitons, especially three-soliton
solutions, is essential for information technology: it makes possible
undisturbed simultaneous propagation of many pulses in both directions.
Abstract: The hypercube Qn is one of the most well-known
and popular interconnection networks and the k-ary n-cube Qk
n is
an enlarged family from Qn that keeps many pleasing properties
from hypercubes. In this article, we study the panpositionable
hamiltonicity of Qk
n for k ≥ 3 and n ≥ 2. Let x, y of V (Qk
n)
be two arbitrary vertices and C be a hamiltonian cycle of Qk
n.
We use dC(x, y) to denote the distance between x and y on the
hamiltonian cycle C. Define l as an integer satisfying d(x, y) ≤ l ≤ 1
2 |V (Qk
n)|. We prove the followings:
• When k = 3 and n ≥ 2, there exists a hamiltonian cycle C
of Qk
n such that dC(x, y) = l.
• When k ≥ 5 is odd and n ≥ 2, we request that l /∈ S
where S is a set of specific integers. Then there exists a
hamiltonian cycle C of Qk
n such that dC(x, y) = l.
• When k ≥ 4 is even and n ≥ 2, we request l-d(x, y) to be
even. Then there exists a hamiltonian cycle C of Qk
n such
that dC(x, y) = l.
The result is optimal since the restrictions on l is due to the
structure of Qk
n by definition.
Abstract: In this study we investigate silica nanoparticle (SiO2- NP) effects on the structure and phase properties of supported lipid monolayers and bilayers, coupling surface pressure measurements, fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy. SiO2-NPs typically in size range of 10nm to 100 nm in diameter are tested. Our results suggest first that lipid molecules organization depends to their nature. Secondly, lipid molecules in the vinicity of big aggregates nanoparticles organize in liquid condensed phase whereas small aggregates are localized in both fluid liquid-expanded (LE) and liquid-condenced (LC). We demonstrated also by atomic force microscopy that by measuring friction forces it is possible to get information as if nanoparticle aggregates are recovered or not by lipid monolayers and bilayers.
Abstract: Recently, neural networks have shown good
results for detection of a certain pattern in a given image. In
our previous papers [1-5], a fast algorithm for pattern
detection using neural networks was presented. Such
algorithm was designed based on cross correlation in the
frequency domain between the input image and the weights
of neural networks. Image conversion into symmetric shape
was established so that fast neural networks can give the
same results as conventional neural networks. Another
configuration of symmetry was suggested in [3,4] to improve
the speed up ratio. In this paper, our previous algorithm for
fast neural networks is developed. The frequency domain
cross correlation is modified in order to compensate for the
symmetric condition which is required by the input image.
Two new ideas are introduced to modify the cross correlation
algorithm. Both methods accelerate the speed of the fast
neural networks as there is no need for converting the input
image into symmetric one as previous. Theoretical and
practical results show that both approaches provide faster
speed up ratio than the previous algorithm.
Abstract: A zero-field ferromagnetic Ising model is utilized to
simulate the propagation of infection in a population that assumes a
square lattice structure. The rate of infection increases with
temperature. The disease spreads faster among individuals with low J
values. Such effect, however, diminishes at higher temperatures.
Abstract: This paper describes how the correct endian mode of
the TMS320C6713 DSK board can be identified. It also explains how
the TMS320C6713 DSK board can be used in the little endian and in
the big endian modes for assembly language programming in
particular and for signal processing in general. Similarly, it discusses
how crucially important it is for a user of the TMS320C6713 DSK
board to identify the mode of operation and then use it correctly
during the development stages of the assembly language
programming; otherwise, it will cause unnecessary confusion and
erroneous results as far as storing data into the memory and loading
data from the memory is concerned. Furthermore, it highlights and
strongly recommends to the users of the TMS320C6713 DSK board
to be aware of the availability and importance of various display
options in the Code Composer Studio (CCS) for correctly
interpreting and displaying the desired data in the memory. The
information presented in this paper will be of great importance and
interest to those practitioners and developers who wants to use the
TMS320C6713 DSK board for assembly language programming as
well as input-output signal processing manipulations. Finally,
examples that clearly illustrate the concept are presented.
Abstract: Transient simulation of power electronic circuits is of
considerable interest to the designer. The switching nature of the
devices used permits development of specialized algorithms which
allow a considerable reduction in simulation time compared to
general purpose simulation algorithms. This paper describes a
method used to simulate a power electronic circuits using the
SIMULINK toolbox within MATLAB software. Theoretical results
are presented provides the basis of transient analysis of a power
electronic circuits.
Abstract: Chronic diseases prevailed along with economic
growth as well as life style changed in recent years in Taiwan.
According to the governmental statistics, hypertension related disease
is the tenth of death causes with 1,816 died directly from hypertension
in 2010. There were more death causes amongst the top ten had been
proofed that having strong association with the hypertension, such as
heart diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Hypertension or
High blood pressure is one of the major indicators for chronic diseases,
and was generally perceived as the major causes of mortality. The
literature generally suggested that regular physical exercise was
helpful to prevent the occurrence or to ease the progress of a
hypertension. This paper reported the process and outcomes in
detailed of an improvement project of physical exercise intervention
specific for hypertension patients. Physical information were
measured before and after the project to obtain information such as
weight, waistline, cholesterol (HD & LD), blood examination, as well
as self-perceived health status. The intervention project involved a
six-week exercise program, of which contained three times a week, 30
minutes of tutored physical exercise intervention. The project had
achieved several gains in changing the subjects- behavior in terms of
many important biophysical indexes. Around 20% of the participants
had significantly improved their cholesterols, BMI, and changed
unhealthy behaviors. Results from the project were encouraging, and
would be good reference for other samples.
Abstract: Sedimentation is a hydraulic phenomenon that is
emerging as a serious challenge in river engineering. When the flow
reaches a certain state that gather potential energy, it shifts the
sediment load along channel bed. The transport of such materials can
be in the form of suspended and bed loads. The movement of these
along the river course and channels and the ways in which this could
influence the water intakes is considered as the major challenges for
sustainable O&M of hydraulic structures. This could be very serious
in arid and semi-arid regions like Iran, where inappropriate watershed
management could lead to shifting a great deal of sediments into the
reservoirs and irrigation systems. This paper aims to investigate
sedimentation in the Western Canal of Dez Diversion Weir in Iran,
identifying factors which influence the process and provide ways in
which to mitigate its detrimental effects by using the SHARC
Software.
For the purpose of this paper, data from the Dezful water authority
and Dezful Hydrometric Station pertinent to a river course of about 6
Km were used.
Results estimated sand and silt bed loads concentrations to be 193
ppm and 827ppm respectively. Given the available data on average
annual bed loads and average suspended sediment loads of 165ppm
and 837ppm, there was a significant statistical difference (16%)
between the sand grains, whereas no significant difference (1.2%)
was find in the silt grain sizes. One explanation for such finding
being that along the 6 Km river course there was considerable
meandering effects which explains recent shift in the hydraulic
behavior along the stream course under investigation. The sand
concentration in downstream relative to present state of the canal
showed a steep descending curve. Sediment trapping on the other
hand indicated a steep ascending curve. These occurred because the
diversion weir was not considered in the simulation model.
Abstract: Buildings and associated construction methods have a significant impact on the environment. As construction activity increases in Kuwait, there is a need to create design and construction strategies which will minimize the environmental impact of new buildings. Green construction is a design philosophy intended to improve the sustainability of construction by the minimization of resource depletion and CO2 emissions throughout the life cycle of buildings. This paper presents and discusses the results of a survey that was conducted in Kuwait, with the objective of investigating the awareness of developers and other stakeholders regarding their understanding and use of green construction strategies. The results of the survey demonstrate that whilst there seems to be a reasonable level of awareness amongst the stakeholders, this awareness is not currently well reflected in the design and construction practices actually being applied. It is therefore concluded is there is a pressing need for intervention from Government in order that the use of sustainable green design and construction strategies becomes the norm in Kuwait.