Abstract: The objectives of this study are to determine the role of media that influence the values, attitudes and behaviors of Thai youths. Analytical qualitative research techniques were used for this purpose. Data collection based techniques was used which were individual interviews and focus group discussions with journalists, sample of high school and university students, and parents. The results show that “Social Media" is still the most popular media for Thai youths. It is also still in the hands of the marketing business and it can motivate Thai youths to do so many things. The main reasons of media exposure are to find quality information that they want quickly, get satisfaction and can use social media to get more exciting and to build communities. They believe that the need for media and information literacy skills is defined as making judgments, personal integrity, training of family and the behavior of close friends.
Abstract: In this paper, a mathematical model is proposed to
estimate the dropping probabilities of cellular wireless networks by
queuing handoff instead of reserving guard channels. Usually, prioritized
handling of handoff calls is done with the help of guard channel
reservation. To evaluate the proposed model, gamma inter-arrival and
general service time distributions have been considered. Prevention of
some of the attempted calls from reaching to the switching center due
to electromagnetic propagation failure or whimsical user behaviour
(missed call, prepaid balance etc.), make the inter-arrival time of
the input traffic to follow gamma distribution. The performance is
evaluated and compared with that of guard channel scheme.
Abstract: In this paper we introduce three watermarking methods that can be used to count the number of times that a user has played some content. The proposed methods are tested with audio content in our experimental system using the most common signal processing attacks. The test results show that the watermarking methods used enable the watermark to be extracted under the most common attacks with a low bit error rate.
Abstract: Voltage flicker is a disturbance in electrical power
systems. The reason for this disturbance is mainly the large nonlinear
loads such as electric arc furnaces. Synchronous static
compensator (STATCOM) is considered as a proper technique to
mitigate the voltage flicker. Application of more suitable and precise
power electronic converter leads to a more precise performance of the
compensator. In this paper a three-level 12-pulse voltage source
inverter (VSI) with a 12-terminal transformer connected to the ac
system is studied and the obtained results are compared with the
performance of a STATCOM using a simple two-level VSI and an
optimal and more precise performance of the proposed scheme is
achieved.
Abstract: In the present study, position estimation of switched reluctance motor (SRM) has been achieved on the basis of the artificial neural networks (ANNs). The ANNs can estimate the rotor position without using an extra rotor position sensor by measuring the phase flux linkages and phase currents. Flux linkage-phase current-rotor position data set and supervised backpropagation learning algorithm are used in training of the ANN based position estimator. A 4-phase SRM have been used to verify the accuracy and feasibility of the proposed position estimator. Simulation results show that the proposed position estimator gives precise and accurate position estimations for both under the low and high level reference speeds of the SRM
Abstract: Multi-residue analysis method for penicillins was
developed and validated in bovine muscle, chicken, milk, and flatfish.
Detection was based on liquid chromatography tandem mass
spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The developed method was validated for
specificity, precision, recovery, and linearity. The analytes were
extracted with 80% acetonitrile and clean-up by a single
reversed-phase solid-phase extraction step. Six penicillins presented
recoveries higher than 76% with the exception of Amoxicillin
(59.7%). Relative standard deviations (RSDs) were not more than
10%. LOQs values ranged from 0.1 and to 4.5 ug/kg. The method was
applied to 128 real samples. Benzylpenicillin was detected in 15
samples and Cloxacillin was detected in 7 samples. Oxacillin was
detected in 2 samples. But the detected levels were under the MRL
levels for penicillins in samples.
Abstract: Standards for learning objects focus primarily on
content presentation. They were already extended to support automatic evaluation but it is limited to exercises with a predefined
set of answers. The existing standards lack the metadata required by specialized evaluators to handle types of exercises with an indefinite
set of solutions. To address this issue existing learning object standards were extended to the particular requirements of a
specialized domain. A definition of programming problems as learning objects, compatible both with Learning Management Systems and with systems performing automatic evaluation of
programs, is presented in this paper. The proposed definition includes
metadata that cannot be conveniently represented using existing standards, such as: the type of automatic evaluation; the requirements
of the evaluation engine; and the roles of different assets - tests cases, program solutions, etc. The EduJudge project and its main services
are also presented as a case study on the use of the proposed definition of programming problems as learning objects.
Abstract: This paper proposes an efficient lattice-reduction-aided
detection (LRD) scheme to improve the detection performance of
MIMO-OFDM system. In this proposed scheme, V candidate symbols
are considered at the first layer, and V probable streams are
detected with LRD scheme according to the first detected V candidate
symbols. Then, the most probable stream is selected through a ML
test. Since the proposed scheme can more accurately detect initial
symbol and can reduce transmission of error to rest symbols, the
proposed scheme shows more improved performance than conventional
LRD with very low complexity.
Abstract: Beam and diffuse radiation data are extracted analytically from previous measured data on a horizontal surface in Zarqa city. Moreover, radiation data on a tilted surfaces with different slopes have been derived and analyzed. These data are consisting of of beam contribution, diffuse contribution, and ground reflected contribution radiation. Hourly radiation data for horizontal surface possess the highest radiation values on June, and then the values decay as the slope increases and the sharp decreasing happened for vertical surface. The beam radiation on a horizontal surface owns the highest values comparing to diffuse radiation for all days of June. The total daily radiation on the tilted surface decreases with slopes. The beam radiation data also decays with slopes especially for vertical surface. Diffuse radiation slightly decreases with slopes with sharp decreases for vertical surface. The groundreflected radiation grows with slopes especially for vertical surface. It-s clear that in June the highest harvesting of solar energy occurred for horizontal surface, then the harvesting decreases as the slope increases.
Abstract: In this paper we propose a framework for
multisensor intrusion detection called Fuzzy Agent-Based Intrusion
Detection System. A unique feature of this model is that the agent
uses data from multiple sensors and the fuzzy logic to process log
files. Use of this feature reduces the overhead in a distributed
intrusion detection system. We have developed an agent
communication architecture that provides a prototype
implementation. This paper discusses also the issues of combining
intelligent agent technology with the intrusion detection domain.
Abstract: High voltage generators are being subject to higher
voltage rating and are being designed to operate in harsh conditions.
Stator windings are the main component of generators in which
Electrical, magnetically and thermal stresses remain major failures
for insulation degradation accelerated aging. A large number of
generators failed due to stator winding problems, mainly insulation
deterioration. Insulation degradation assessment plays vital role in the
asset life management. Mostly the stator failure is catastrophic
causing significant damage to the plant. Other than generation loss,
stator failure involves heavy repair or replacement cost. Electro
thermal analysis is the main characteristic for improvement design of
stator slot-s insulation. Dielectric parameters such as insulation
thickness, spacing, material types, geometry of winding and slot are
major design consideration. A very powerful method available to
analyze electro thermal performance is Finite Element Method
(FEM) which is used in this paper. The analysis of various stator coil
and slot configurations are used to design the better dielectric system
to reduce electrical and thermal stresses in order to increase the
power of generator in the same volume of core. This paper describes
the process used to perform classical design and improvement
analysis of stator slot-s insulation.
Abstract: We demonstrate through a sample application, Ebanking,
that the Web Service Modelling Language Ontology component
can be used as a very powerful object-oriented database design
language with logic capabilities. Its conceptual syntax allows the
definition of class hierarchies, and logic syntax allows the definition
of constraints in the database. Relations, which are available for
modelling relations of three or more concepts, can be connected to
logical expressions, allowing the implicit specification of database
content. Using a reasoning tool, logic queries can also be made
against the database in simulation mode.
Abstract: In general, class complexity is measured based on any
one of these factors such as Line of Codes (LOC), Functional points
(FP), Number of Methods (NOM), Number of Attributes (NOA) and so on. There are several new techniques, methods and metrics with
the different factors that are to be developed by the researchers for calculating the complexity of the class in Object Oriented (OO)
software. Earlier, Arockiam et.al has proposed a new complexity measure namely Extended Weighted Class Complexity (EWCC)
which is an extension of Weighted Class Complexity which is proposed by Mishra et.al. EWCC is the sum of cognitive weights of
attributes and methods of the class and that of the classes derived. In EWCC, a cognitive weight of each attribute is considered to be 1.
The main problem in EWCC metric is that, every attribute holds the
same value but in general, cognitive load in understanding the
different types of attributes cannot be the same. So here, we are proposing a new metric namely Attribute Weighted Class Complexity
(AWCC). In AWCC, the cognitive weights have to be assigned for the attributes which are derived from the effort needed to understand
their data types. The proposed metric has been proved to be a better
measure of complexity of class with attributes through the case studies and experiments
Abstract: The recurring decimal of rural and urban poverty in
Nigeria, resulting from lack of sustainable livelihood activities by
the people due to non-diversification of the economy, necessitated
this study. One hundred snail farmers were randomly selected in
Akure North and Akure South Local Government areas of Ondo
State, Southwest Nigeria where snail farming is widely practised.
Data collection was through questionnaires administration and onsite
observation of farms. Data obtained were subjected to
descriptive statistics, Student-s t-test and regression analysis. Cost
benefit ratio (CBR) and rate of return on investment (RORI) were
calculated in order to determine the poverty alleviation potentials of
snail farming in the study areas. Although snail farming was
profitable and viable, it was below poverty line. With time and more
knowledge in its farming activities, and with more people taking to
snail production, its poverty alleviation and reduction potentials will
increase.
Abstract: Discrimination in employment has its wider social and
economic consequences other than mere violating a basic human
right. Discrimination involves treating people differently because of
certain grounds such as race, color, or sex, which results in the
impairment of equality of opportunity and treatment. As an essential
part of promoting decent work, combating discrimination through the
principle of non-discrimination has been established by the
International Labor Organization (ILO) through the Declaration on
Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 1998. Considering
elimination of discrimination in employment as a core labor standard,
member states are expected to respect, promote and implement it to
their national laws and policies. Being a member state, Malaysia has
to position herself align with this international requirement. The
author discusses the related convention together with Malaysia-s
responses on the matter. At the closing stage, the prospect of
Malaysia is presumed taking into account of the current positions and
reports submitted to the ILO.
Abstract: Polymers are one of the most widely used materials in our every day life. The subject of renewable resources has attracted great attention in the last period of time. New polymeric materials derived from renewable resources, like carbohydrates draw attention to public eye especially because of their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The aim of our paper was to obtain environmentally compatible polymers from monosaccharides. Novel glycopolymers based on D-glucose have been obtained from copolymerization of a new monomer carrying carbohydrate moiety with methyl methacrylate (MMA) via free radical bulk polymerization. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed in order to study the copolymerization process of the monomer into the chosen co-monomer; the activation energy of this process was evaluated using Ozawa method. The copolymers obtained were characterized using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the obtained products was studied by thermogravimetry (TG).
Abstract: The goal of this paper is to find Wardrop equilibrium
in transport networks at case of uncertainty situations, where the
uncertainty comes from lack of information. We use simulation tool
to find the equilibrium, which gives only approximate solution, but
this is sufficient for large networks as well. In order to take the
uncertainty into account we have developed an interval-based
procedure for finding the paths with minimal cost using the
Dempster-Shafer theory. Furthermore we have investigated the users-
behaviors using game theory approach, because their path choices
influence the costs of the other users- paths.
Abstract: The research study is carried out to determine the efficiency of the Biofilm sewage treatment plant which is located at the Engineering Complex-s. Wastewater analyses have been carried out at the Environmental Engineering laboratory to study the six parameters: Biochemical Oxygen Demand BOD, Chemical Oxygen Demand COD l, and Total Suspended Solids TSS, Ammoniac Nitrogen NH3-N and Phosphorous P which have been selected to determine the wastewater quality. The plant was designed to treat 750 Pe (population equivalent) at hydraulic retention time of 5 hours in the aerobic zone. The results show that Biofilm wastewater treatment plant was able to treat sewage successfully at different flow condition. The discharge has fulfilled the Malaysia Environmental of Standard A water quality. The achieved BOD removal is more than 85%, COD is more than 80%, TSS is more than 80%, NH3-N is more than 70%, and P was more than 70%. The Biofilm system provides a very efficient process for sewage treatment and it is compact in structure thus minimizes the required land area.
Abstract: The zero inflated models are usually used in modeling
count data with excess zeros where the existence of the excess zeros
could be structural zeros or zeros which occur by chance. These type
of data are commonly found in various disciplines such as finance,
insurance, biomedical, econometrical, ecology, and health sciences
which involve sex and health dental epidemiology. The most popular
zero inflated models used by many researchers are zero inflated
Poisson and zero inflated negative binomial models. In addition, zero
inflated generalized Poisson and zero inflated double Poisson models
are also discussed and found in some literature. Recently zero
inflated inverse trinomial model and zero inflated strict arcsine
models are advocated and proven to serve as alternative models in
modeling overdispersed count data caused by excessive zeros and
unobserved heterogeneity. The purpose of this paper is to review
some related literature and provide a variety of examples from
different disciplines in the application of zero inflated models.
Different model selection methods used in model comparison are
discussed.
Abstract: The volume of biosolids produced in Malaysia
nowadays had increased proportionally to its population size. The end
products from the waste treatments were mounting, thus inevitable
that in the end the environment will be surrounded by the waste. This
study was conducted to investigate the suitability of biosolids to be
reused as fertilizer for non-food crop. By varying the concentration of
biosolids applied onto the soil, growth of five ornamental plant
samples were tested for eight consecutive weeks. The results show
that the pH of the soil after the addition of biosolids ranges from 6.45
to 6.56 which is suitable for the plant growth. The soil samples that
contains biosolid also show higher amount of macronutrients (N, P,
K) and the heavy metals content are significantly increased in the
plant however it does not exceed the guidelines drawn by the
Environmental Protection Agency. It is also proven that there was
only small significant different in the performance of plant growth
between biosolids and commercial fertilizer. It can be seen that
biosolids was able to perform just as well as commercial fertilizer.