Abstract: Job stress is one of the most important concepts for
the today-s corporate as well as institutional world. The current study
is conducted to identify the causes of faculty stress at Higher
Education in Pakistan. For the purpose, Public & Private Business
Schools of Punjab is selected as representative of Pakistan. A sample
of 300 faculty members (214 males, 86 females) responded to the
survey. Regression analysis shows that the Workload, Student
Related issues and Role Conflicts are the major sources contributing
significantly towards producing stress. The study also revealed that
Private sector faculty members experienced more stress as compared
to faculty in Public sector Business Schools. Moreover, females,
younger ages, lower designation & low qualification faculty
members experience more stress as compared to males, older ages,
higher designation and high qualification. The study yield many
significant results for the policy makers of Business Institutions.
Abstract: This paper deals with infinite time horizon fuzzy Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) models for deteriorating items with
stock dependent demand rate and nonlinear holding costs by taking deterioration rate θ0 as a triangular fuzzy number (θ0 −δ 1, θ0, θ0 +δ 2), where 1 2 0 0
Abstract: Due to the constant increase in the volume of information available to applications in fields varying from medical diagnosis to web search engines, accurate support of similarity becomes an important task. This is also the case of spam filtering techniques where the similarities between the known and incoming messages are the fundaments of making the spam/not spam decision. We present a novel approach to filtering based solely on layout, whose goal is not only to correctly identify spam, but also warn about major emerging threats. We propose a mathematical formulation of the email message layout and based on it we elaborate an algorithm to separate different types of emails and find the new, numerically relevant spam types.
Abstract: Microplasma welding is a less expensive alternative to
laser welding in dental technology. The aim of the study was to
highlight discontinuities present in the microplasma welded joints of
dental base metal alloys by visual analysis. Five base metal alloys
designated for fixed prostheses manufacture were selected for the
experiments. Using these plates, preliminary tests were conducted by
microplasma welding in butt joint configuration, without filler
material, bilaterally and with filler material, proper for each base
metal. Macroscopic visual inspection was performed to assess
carefully the irregularities in the welds. Electron microscopy allowed
detection of discontinuities that are not visible to the eye and
revealing details regarding location, trajectory, morphology and size
of discontinuities. Supplementing visual control with microscopic
analysis allows to detect small discontinuities, which escapes the
macroscopic control and to make a detailed study of the weld.
Abstract: In modern day disaster recovery mission has become
one of the top priorities in any natural disaster management regime.
Smart autonomous robots may play a significant role in such
missions, including search for life under earth quake hit rubbles,
Tsunami hit islands, de-mining in war affected areas and many other
such situations. In this paper current state of many walking robots are
compared and advantages of hexapod systems against wheeled robots
are described. In our research we have selected a hexapod spider
robot; we are developing focusing mainly on efficient navigation
method in different terrain using apposite gait of locomotion, which
will make it faster and at the same time energy efficient to navigate
and negotiate difficult terrain. This paper describes the method of
terrain negotiation navigation in a hazardous field.
Abstract: In this study, the performance of a high-frequency arc
welding machine including a two-switch inverter is analyzed. The
control of the system is achieved using two different control
techniques i- fuzzy logic control (FLC) ii- state space averaging
based sliding control. Fuzzy logic control does not need accurate
mathematical model of a plant and can be used in nonlinear
applications. The second method needs the mathematical model of
the system. In this method the state space equations of the system are
derived for two different “on" and “off" states of the switches. The
derived state equations are combined with the sliding control rule
considering the duty-cycle of the converter. The performance of the
system is analyzed by simulating the system using SIMULINK tool
box of MATLAB. The simulation results show that fuzzy logic
controller is more robust and less sensitive to parameter variations.
Abstract: Recent fifteen years witnessed fast improvements in the field of humanoid robotics. The human-like robot structure is
more suitable to human environment with its supreme obstacle avoidance properties when compared with wheeled service robots.
However, the walking control for bipedal robots is a challenging task
due to their complex dynamics. Stable reference generation plays a very important role in control.
Linear Inverted Pendulum Model (LIPM) and the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) criterion are applied in a number of studies for stable
walking reference generation of biped walking robots. This paper follows this main approach too. We propose a natural and continuous ZMP reference trajectory for a stable and human-like walk. The ZMP reference trajectories move forward under the sole of the support foot when the robot body is supported by a single leg. Robot center of mass trajectory is obtained
from predefined ZMP reference trajectories by a Fourier series
approximation method. The Gibbs phenomenon problem common with Fourier approximations of discontinuous functions is avoided by employing continuous ZMP references. Also, these ZMP reference
trajectories possess pre-assigned single and double support phases,
which are very useful in experimental tuning work.
The ZMP based reference generation strategy is tested via threedimensional
full-dynamics simulations of a 12-degrees-of-freedom
biped robot model. Simulation results indicate that the proposed reference trajectory generation technique is successful.
Abstract: The objective of this experiment was to study of water
relations and chlorophyll in different wheat genotypes and their
correlations with grain and biological yields. 21 genotypes of bread
wheat were compared in a field experiment as randomized complete
blocks design with four replications. The results showed that relative
water deficit, relative water loss, excised leaf water retention, cell
membrane stability, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll,
grain yield and biological yield were different significantly among
wheat genotypes, but SPAD-chlorophyll index, relative water content
and chlorophyll florescence were not. Significant correlations were
not observed among above mentioned water relations and
chlorophyll characteristics with grain yield, but there was a positive
and significant correlation between biological yield and grain yield.
Abstract: Retrieval of the surface reflectance is important in the
remotely sensed data analysis to obtain the atmospheric reflectance or
atmospheric correction. The relationship between visible and mid
infrared reflectance over land was investigated and developed in this
study. The surface reflectances of the two visible bands were
measured using a handheld spectroradiometer collected around
Penang Island. In this study, we use the assumption that the 2.1 μm
band is not affected by aerosol and it is transparent to most aerosol
types (except dust). Therefore the satellite observed signal is the
same as the surface signal in 2.1 μm band. The correlation between
the surface reflectance measured by the spectroradiometer in the blue
and red region and the 2.1 μm observed by the satellite has been
established. We investigate five dates of Landsat TM scenes in this
study. The finding obtained by this study indicates that the surface
reflectance can be retrieved from the 2.1 μm band.
Abstract: An experiment was performed in the south of
Morocco in order to evaluate the effect of deficit irrigation by treated
wastewater on chickpea production. We applied six irrigation
treatments on a local variety of chickpea by supplying alternatively
50 or 100% of ETm in a completely randomized design.
We found a highly significant difference between treatments in
terms of biomass production. Drought stress during the vegetative
period showed highest yield with 6.5 t/ha which was more than the
yield obtained for the control (4.9 t/ha). The optimal crop stage in
which deficit irrigation can be applied is the vegetative growth stage,
as the crop has a chance to develop its root system, to be able to
cover the plant needs for water and nutrient supply during the rest of
cycle, and non stress conditions during the flowering and seed filling
stages allow the plant to optimize its photosynthesis and carbon
translocation, therefore increase its productivity.
Abstract: Despite the fact that Knowledge Sharing (KS) is very important, we found only little discussion about the reasons why people have the willingness to share knowledge at such platform even though there is no immediate benefit to the persons who contribute knowledge in it. The aim of this study is to develop an integrative understanding of the factors that support or inhibit individuals- knowledge sharing intentions in virtual communities and to find whether habit would generate people-s willingness to be involved. We apply Social Capital Theory (SCT), and we also add two dimensions for discussion: member incentive and habitual domain (HD). This research assembles the questionnaire from individuals who have experienced knowledge sharing in virtual communities, and applies survey and Structural Equation Model (SEM) to analyze the results from the questionnaires. Finally, results confirm that individuals are willing to share knowledge in virtual communities: (1) if they consider reciprocity, centrality, and have longer tenure in their field, and enjoy helping. (2) if they have the habit of sharing knowledge. This study is useful for the developers of virtual communities to insight into knowledge sharing in cyberspace.
Abstract: In this study the extracts of the Iraqi herb Tribulus
terrestris (Al-Hassage or Al-Kutub) was done by using of polar and
non polar solvents, then the biological activity of these extractants
was studied in three fields, First, the antibacterial activity (in vitro)
on gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), and gram
negative bacteria (E. coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas
aerugiuosa, and Klebsiella), all extracts showed considerable activity
against all bacteria. Second, the effect of extracts on free serum
testosterone level in male mice (in vivo), the alcoholic, and
acetonitrilic extracts showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in free
serum testosterone level, and we found that the extracts contained
compounds with less genotoxic effects in mice germ cells. 3rd, was to
study the effect of methanolic extract of T. terrestris in diabetes
management.
Abstract: This paper considers the design of a motion planner
that will simultaneously accomplish control and motion planning of a
n-link nonholonomic mobile manipulator, wherein, a n-link
holonomic manipulator is coupled with a nonholonomic mobile
platform, within an obstacle-ridden environment. This planner,
derived from the Lyapunov-based control scheme, generates
collision-free trajectories from an initial configuration to a final
configuration in a constrained environment cluttered with stationary
solid objects of different shapes and sizes. We demonstrate the
efficiency of the control scheme and the resulting acceleration
controllers of the mobile manipulator with results through computer
simulations of an interesting scenario.
Abstract: In this work we report the recent progresses that have been achieved by our group in the last half decade on the field of computational proteomics. Specifically, we discuss the application of Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Electronic Structure Calculations in drug design, in the clarification of the structural and dynamic properties of proteins and enzymes and in the understanding of the catalytic and inhibition mechanism of cancer-related enzymes. A set of examples illustrate the concepts and help to introduce the reader into this important and fast moving field.
Abstract: The characterization and modeling of the dynamic
behavior of many built-up structures under vibration conditions is still
a subject of current research. The present study emphasizes the
theoretical investigation of slip damping in layered and jointed
welded cantilever structures using finite element approach.
Application of finite element method in damping analysis is relatively
recent, as such, some problems particularly slip damping analysis has
not received enough attention. To validate the finite element model
developed, experiments have been conducted on a number of mild
steel specimens under different initial conditions of vibration. Finite
element model developed affirms that the damping capacity of such
structures is influenced by a number of vital parameters such as;
pressure distribution, kinematic coefficient of friction and micro-slip
at the interfaces, amplitude, frequency of vibration, length and
thickness of the specimen. Finite element model developed can be
utilized effectively in the design of machine tools, automobiles,
aerodynamic and space structures, frames and machine members for
enhancing their damping capacity.
Abstract: Cattle manure and mineral fertilizers are two source
of Nitrogen, which can affect the growth and quantity of potato. In
this research the effects of the use of cattle manure (5, 10, 15 and 20
ton ha-1), Nitrogen fertilizer (50, 100 and 150 kg N ha-1) and their
interaction on potato growth were evaluated during field
experiments in 2008 with the help of Randomized Complete Block
(RCB) with the factorial arrangement of three experimental
replications in Iran. At the 75 th day after emergence, dry weight of
Shoots, leaf area index (LAI) and plant height were recorded. Results
showed that, dry weight of Shoots, LAI and plant height increased
linearly and very significantly in response to the application of
manure and Nitrogen fertilizer. While the interaction between
manure and Nitrogen fertilizer just on the LAI and plant height was
significant, somehow the maximum amount of plant height( 73 cm)
was obtained by using 150 kg Nitrogen + 15 tons of manure per
hectare, and maximum LAI ( 5.36) was obtained by using 150 kg
Nitrogen + 20 tons of manure per hectare. Also in this experiment
maximum tuber yield (36.8 tons ha-1) was obtained by the utilization
of 150 kg Nitrogen per hectare + 20 tons manure.
Abstract: PROFIBUS (PROcess FIeld BUS) which is defined with international standarts (IEC61158, EN50170) is the most popular fieldbus, and provides a communication between industrial applications which are located in different control environment and location in manufacturing, process and building automation. Its communication speed is from 9.6 Kbps to 12 Mbps over distances from 100 to 1200 meters, and so it is to be often necessary to interconnect them in order to break these limits. Unfortunately this interconnection raises several issues and the solutions found so far are not very satisfactory. In this paper, we propose a new solution to interconnect PROFIBUS segments, which uses a wireless MAN based on the IEEE 802.16 standard as a backbone system. Also, the solution which is described a model for internetworking unit integrates the traffic generated by PROFIBUS segments into IEEE 802.16 wireless MAN using encapsulation technique.
Abstract: Because road traffic accidents are a major source of death worldwide, attempts have been made to create Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) able to detect vehicle, driver and
environmental conditions that are cues for possible potential accidents. This paper presents continued work on a novel Nonintrusive
Intelligent Driver Assistance and Safety System (Ni-DASS)
for assessing driver attention and hazard awareness. It uses two onboard
CCD cameras – one observing the road and the other observing
the driver-s face. The windscreen is divided into cells and analysis of
the driver-s eye-gaze patterns allows Ni-DASS to determine the windscreen cell the driver is focusing on using eye-gesture templates.
Intersecting the driver-s field of view through the observed
windscreen cell with subsections of the camera-s field of view containing a potential hazard allows Ni-DASS to estimate the
probability that the driver has actually observed the hazard. Results
have shown that the proposed technique is an accurate enough
measure of driver observation to be useful in ADAS systems.
Abstract: Metrics is the process by which numbers or symbols
are assigned to attributes of entities in the real world in such a way as
to describe them according to clearly defined rules. Software metrics
are instruments or ways to measuring all the aspect of software
product. These metrics are used throughout a software project to
assist in estimation, quality control, productivity assessment, and
project control. Object oriented software metrics focus on
measurements that are applied to the class and other characteristics.
These measurements convey the software engineer to the behavior of
the software and how changes can be made that will reduce
complexity and improve the continuing capability of the software.
Object oriented software metric can be classified in two types static
and dynamic. Static metrics are concerned with all the aspects of
measuring by static analysis of software and dynamic metrics are
concerned with all the measuring aspect of the software at run time.
Major work done before, was focusing on static metric. Also some
work has been done in the field of dynamic nature of the software
measurements. But research in this area is demanding for more work.
In this paper we give a set of dynamic metrics specifically for
polymorphism in object oriented system.
Abstract: This study presents energy saving in general-purpose
pumps widely used in industrial applications. Such pumps are
normally driven by a constant-speed electrical motor which in most
applications must support varying load conditions. This is equivalent
to saying the loading conditions mismatch the designed optimal
energy consumption requirements of the intended application thus
resulting in substantial energy losses. In the held experiments it was
indicated that combination of mechanical and electrical speed drives
can contribute to lower energy consumption in the pump without
negatively distorting the required performance indices of a typical
centrifugal pump at substantially lower energy consumption. The
registered energy savings were recorded to be within the 15-40%
margin. It was also indicated that although VSDs are installed at a
cost, the financial burden is balanced against the earnings resulting
from the associated energy savings.