Abstract: An experiment was conducted under controlled
conditions to study the effect of water extract of leaves, shoots and
roots of either Sisymbrium irio L. =SISIR and/or Descurainia
sophia (L.) Schur =DESSO on the germination and primary growth
of wheat. A split-split plot experiment in CRD with three
replications was used. The main plots were the type of weed: i.e.
SISIR and DESSO and the sub-plots were type of organ: i.e. leaf,
stem and root and, the sub-sub plots were concentration of the
water extract of each organ of the weeds: i.e. 0, 2, 4 and 8 % w/v.
The plant materials were cut in 2-3 cm pieces and then were
ground in a blender. The crushed materials were weighed
according to experimental protocol and the final volume was
reached to 100 ml in distilled water in dark bottles. All bottles were
put on a shaker for 24 hours. The solutions were filtered by muslin
cloth. Whatman paper, 9 cm in diameter, were put in petri dishes
and twenty seeds of wheat were put on it and 5 ml distilled water
or water extract of weeds were added to each petri dish. All petri
dishes were put in constant temperature of 15 0C incubator.
The results showed that the SISIR water extract had a greater
inhibitory effects on germination and primary growth of wheat
than those of DESSO water extract. The water extracts of the
leaves of both weeds had the greatest inhibitory effects on
germination and primary growth of wheat, compared to those of
stems and roots. Increasing the concentration of water extract of
leaves, stems and roots of both weeds up to 8 % caused the greatest
inhibitory effects to wheat and reduced the germination rate and
primary growth of it linearly.
Abstract: Simulation is a very helpful and valuable work tool in
manufacturing. It can be used in industrial field allowing the
system`s behavior to be learnt and tested. Simulation provides a low
cost, secure and fast analysis tool. It also provides benefits, which
can be reached with many different system configurations. Topics to
be discussed include: Applications, Modeling, Validating, Software
and benefits of simulation. This paper provides a comprehensive
literature review on research efforts in simulation.
Abstract: Verification of real-time software systems can be
expensive in terms of time and resources. Testing is the main method
of proving correctness but has been shown to be a long and time
consuming process. Everyday engineers are usually unwilling to
adopt formal approaches to correctness because of the overhead
associated with developing their knowledge of such techniques.
Performance modelling techniques allow systems to be evaluated
with respect to timing constraints. This paper describes PARTES, a
framework which guides the extraction of performance models from
programs written in an annotated subset of C.
Abstract: A therapeutic success is the aim of any therapeutic
intervention, but a therapeutic failure is the other side of the same
coin. The purpose of this study is to present the activity of a personal
development group, composed of 14 participants (psychologists,
doctors and a priest) registered for a 2 days course of integrative
psychotherapy. The objectives of this study are centred on: the
management of the personal development group breaking moment
realized by the therapist/trainer; the analysis of the trainer’s personal
situation and of some group participants and the brief presentation of
the main work methods applied on participants in the repairing of the
therapeutic relation and in the counter transfer management. The
therapist’s orientation is an integrative one and the demarche realized
includes T.A. techniques, role play, Gestalt and family systemic
psychotherapy. The conclusions obtained represent landmarks for the
future activity within that group and strengthen the therapeutic
relation with the group.
Abstract: This paper presents a heuristic approach to solve the Generalized Assignment Problem (GAP) which is NP-hard. It is worth mentioning that many researches used to develop algorithms for identifying the redundant constraints and variables in linear programming model. Some of the algorithms are presented using intercept matrix of the constraints to identify redundant constraints and variables prior to the start of the solution process. Here a new heuristic approach based on the dominance property of the intercept matrix to find optimal or near optimal solution of the GAP is proposed. In this heuristic, redundant variables of the GAP are identified by applying the dominance property of the intercept matrix repeatedly. This heuristic approach is tested for 90 benchmark problems of sizes upto 4000, taken from OR-library and the results are compared with optimum solutions. Computational complexity is proved to be O(mn2) of solving GAP using this approach. The performance of our heuristic is compared with the best state-ofthe- art heuristic algorithms with respect to both the quality of the solutions. The encouraging results especially for relatively large size test problems indicate that this heuristic approach can successfully be used for finding good solutions for highly constrained NP-hard problems.
Abstract: Frequent machine breakdowns, low plant availability and increased overtime are a great threat to a manufacturing plant as they increase operating costs of an industry. The main aim of this study was to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) at a manufacturing company through the implementation of innovative maintenance strategies. A case study approach was used. The paper focuses on improving the maintenance in a manufacturing set up using an innovative maintenance regime mix to improve overall equipment effectiveness. Interviews, reviewing documentation and historical records, direct and participatory observation were used as data collection methods during the research. Usually production is based on the total kilowatt of motors produced per day. The target kilowatt at 91% availability is 75 Kilowatts a day. Reduced demand and lack of raw materials particularly imported items are adversely affecting the manufacturing operations. The company had to reset its targets from the usual figure of 250 Kilowatt per day to mere 75 per day due to lower availability of machines as result of breakdowns as well as lack of raw materials. The price reductions and uncertainties as well as general machine breakdowns further lowered production. Some recommendations were given. For instance, employee empowerment in the company will enhance responsibility and authority to improve and totally eliminate the six big losses. If the maintenance department is to realise its proper function in a progressive, innovative industrial society, then its personnel must be continuously trained to meet current needs as well as future requirements. To make the maintenance planning system effective, it is essential to keep track of all the corrective maintenance jobs and preventive maintenance inspections. For large processing plants these cannot be handled manually. It was therefore recommended that the company implement (Computerised Maintenance Management System) CMMS.
Abstract: Indices summarizing community structure are used to
evaluate fundamental community ecology, species interaction,
biogeographical factors, and environmental stress. Some of these
indices are insensitive to gross community changes induced by
contaminants of pollution. Diversity indices and similarity indices are
reviewed considering their ecological application, both theoretical
and practical. For some useful indices, empirical equations are given
to calculate the expected maximum value of the indices to which the
observed values can be related at any combination of sample sizes at
the experimental sites. This paper examines the effects of sample size
and diversity on the expected values of diversity indices and
similarity indices, using various formulae. It has been shown that all
indices are strongly affected by sample size and diversity. In some
indices, this influence is greater than the others and an attempt has
been made to deal with these influences.
Abstract: Introduction: Visual performance is an important factor in sport excellence. Visual involvement in a sport varies according to environmental demands associated with that sport. These environmental demands are matched by a task specific motor response. The purpose of this study was to determine if sport specific exercises will improve the visual performance of male rugby players, in order to achieve maximal results on the sports field. Materials & Methods: Twenty six adult male rugby players, aged 16-22, were chosen as subjects. In order to evaluate the effect of sport specific exercises on visual skills, a pre-test - post-test experimental group design was adopted for the study. Results: Significant differences (p≤0.05) were seen in the focussing, tracking, vergence, sequencing, eye-hand coordination and visualisation components Discussion & Conclusions: Sport specific exercises improved visual skills in rugby players which may provide them with an advantage over their opponents. This study suggests that these training programs and participation in regular on-line EyeDrills sports vision exercises (www.eyedrills.co.za) aimed at improving the athlete-s visual coordination, concentration, focus, hand-eye co-ordination, anticipation and motor response should be incorpotated in the rugby players exercise regime.
Abstract: The use of un-activated bentonite, and un-activated
bentonite blended with limestone for the treatment of acid mine
drainage (AMD) was investigated. Batch experiments were
conducted in a 5 L PVC reactor. Un-activated bentonite on its own
did not effectively neutralize and remove heavy metals from AMD.
The final pH obtained was below 4 and the metal removal efficiency
was below 50% for all the metals when bentonite solid loadings of 1,
5 and 10% were used. With un-activated bentonite (1%) blended with
1% limestone, the final pH obtained was approximately 7 and metal
removal efficiencies were greater than 60% for most of the metals.
The Langmuir isotherm gave the best fit for the experimental data
giving correlation coefficient (R2) very close to 1. Thus, it was
concluded that un-activated bentonite blended with limestone is
suitable for potential applications in removing heavy metals and
neutralizing AMD.
Abstract: This study investigated the climatic factors associated
with Influenza incidence in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Southern
Thailand. Climatic factors comprised of the amount of rainfall,
percent of rainy days, relative humidity, wind speed, maximum,
minimum temperatures and temperature difference. A multiple
stepwise regression technique was used to fit the statistical model.
The result showed that the temperature difference and percent of
rainy days were positively associated with Influenza incidence in
Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine a broader range of sport constraints perceived by young Koreans in Australia who may need to adjust to changing behavioral expectations due to the socio-cultural transitions. Regardless of gender, in terms of quantitative findings, the most important participation constraints within the seven categories were resources, access, interpersonal, affective, religious, socio-cultural, and physical in that order. The most important constraining items were a lack of time, access, information, adaptive skills, and parental and family support in that order. Qualitative research found young Korean’s participation constraints among three categories (time, parental control and interpersonal constraints). It is possible that different ethnic groups would be constrained by different factors; however, this is outside the scope of this study.
Abstract: An optimal control problem for a mathematical model of efficiency of antiviral therapy in hepatitis B virus infections is considered. The aim of the study is to control the new viral production, block the new infection cells and maintain the number of uninfected cells in the given range. The optimal controls represent the efficiency of antiviral therapy in inhibiting viral production and preventing new infections. Defining the cost functional, the optimal control problem is converted into the constrained optimization problem and the first order optimality system is derived. For the numerical simulation, we propose the steepest descent algorithm based on the adjoint variable method. A computer program in MATLAB is developed for the numerical simulations.
Abstract: The six sigma method is a project-driven management approach to improve the organization-s products, services, and processes by continually reducing defects in the organization. Understanding the key features, obstacles, and shortcomings of the six sigma method allows organizations to better support their strategic directions, and increasing needs for coaching, mentoring, and training. It also provides opportunities to better implement six sigma projects. The purpose of this paper is the survey of six sigma process and its impact on the organizational productivity. So I have studied key concepts , problem solving process of six sigmaas well as the survey of important fields such as: DMAIC, six sigma and productivity applied programme, and other advantages of six sigma. In the end of this paper, present research conclusions. (direct and positive relation between six sigma and productivity)
Abstract: Despite many success stories of manufacturing safety, many organizations are still reluctant, perceiving it as cost increasing and time consuming. The clear contributor may be due to the use of lagging indicators rather than leading indicator measures. The study therefore proposes a combinatorial model for determining the best safety strategy. A combination theory and cost benefit analysis was employed to develop a monetary saving / loss function in terms value of preventions and cost of prevention strategy. Documentations, interviews and structured questionnaire were employed to collect information on Before-And-After safety programme records from a Tobacco company between periods of 1993-2001(for pre-safety) and 2002-2008 (safety period) for the model application. Three combinatorial alternatives A, B, C were obtained resulting into 4, 6 and 4 strategies respectively with PPE and Training being predominant. A total of 728 accidents were recorded for a 9 year period of pre-safety programme and 163 accidents were recorded for 7 years period of safety programme. Six preventions activities (alternative B) yielded the best results. However, all the years of operation experienced except year 2004. The study provides a leading resources for planning successful safety programme
Abstract: The new programming technologies allow for the
creation of components which can be automatically or manually
assembled to reach a new experience in knowledge understanding
and mastering or in getting skills for a specific knowledge area. The
project proposes an interactive framework that permits the creation,
combination and utilization of components that are specific to
mathematical training in high schools.
The main framework-s objectives are:
• authoring lessons by the teacher or the students; all they need
are simple operating skills for Equation Editor (or something
similar, or Latex); the rest are just drag & drop operations,
inserting data into a grid, or navigating through menus
• allowing sonorous presentations of mathematical texts and
solving hints (easier understood by the students)
• offering graphical representations of a mathematical function
edited in Equation
• storing of learning objects in a database
• storing of predefined lessons (efficient for expressions and
commands, the rest being calculations; allows a high
compression)
• viewing and/or modifying predefined lessons, according to the
curricula
The whole thing is focused on a mathematical expressions minicompiler,
storing the code that will be later used for different
purposes (tables, graphics, and optimisations).
Programming technologies used. A Visual C# .NET
implementation is proposed. New and innovative digital learning
objects for mathematics will be developed; they are capable to
interpret, contextualize and react depending on the architecture
where they are assembled.
Abstract: Based on the classical algorithm LSQR for solving (unconstrained) LS problem, an iterative method is proposed for the least-squares like-minimum-norm symmetric solution of AXB+CYD=E. As the application of this algorithm, an iterative method for the least-squares like-minimum-norm biymmetric solution of AXB=E is also obtained. Numerical results are reported that show the efficiency of the proposed methods.
Abstract: Optical Bursts Switching (OBS) is a relatively new
optical switching paradigm. Contention and burst loss in OBS
networks are major concerns. To resolve contentions, an interesting
alternative to discarding the entire data burst is to partially drop the
burst. Partial burst dropping is based on burst segmentation concept
that its implementation is constrained by some technical challenges,
besides the complexity added to the algorithms and protocols on both
edge and core nodes. In this paper, the burst segmentation concept is
investigated, and an implementation scheme is proposed and
evaluated. An appropriate dropping policy that effectively manages
the size of the segmented data bursts is presented. The dropping
policy is further supported by a new control packet format that
provides constant transmission overhead.
Abstract: The Virtual Reality (VR) is becoming increasingly
important for business, education, and entertainment, therefore VR
technology have been applied for training purposes in the areas of
military, safety training and flying simulators. In particular, the
superior and high reliability VR training system is very important in
immersion. Manipulation training in immersive virtual environments
is difficult partly because users must do without the hap contact with
real objects they rely on in the real world to orient themselves and
their manipulated.
In this paper, we create a convincing questionnaire of immersion
and an experiment to assess the influence of immersion on
performance in VR training system. The Immersion Questionnaire
(IQ) included spatial immersion, Psychological immersion, and
Sensory immersion. We show that users with a training system
complete visual attention and detection of signals. Twenty subjects
were allocated to a factorial design consisting of two different VR
systems (Desktop VR and Projector VR). The results indicated that
different VR representation methods significantly affected the
participants- Immersion dimensions.
Abstract: The response of growth and yield of rainfed-chickpea
to population density should be evaluated based on long-term
experiments to include the climate variability. This is achievable just
by simulation. In this simulation study, this evaluation was done by
running the CYRUS model for long-term daily weather data of five
locations in Iran. The tested population densities were 7 to 59 (with
interval of 2) stands per square meter. Various functions, including
quadratic, segmented, beta, broken linear, and dent-like functions,
were tested. Considering root mean square of deviations and linear
regression statistics [intercept (a), slope (b), and correlation
coefficient (r)] for predicted versus observed variables, the quadratic
and broken linear functions appeared to be appropriate for describing
the changes in biomass and grain yield, and in harvest index,
respectively. Results indicated that in all locations, grain yield tends
to show increasing trend with crowding the population, but
subsequently decreases. This was also true for biomass in five
locations. The harvest index appeared to have plateau state across
low population densities, but decreasing trend with more increasing
density. The turning point (optimum population density) for grain
yield was 30.68 stands per square meter in Isfahan, 30.54 in Shiraz,
31.47 in Kermanshah, 34.85 in Tabriz, and 32.00 in Mashhad. The
optimum population density for biomass ranged from 24.6 (in
Tabriz) to 35.3 stands per square meter (Mashhad). For harvest index
it varied between 35.87 and 40.12 stands per square meter.
Abstract: One of the determinants of a firm-s prosperity is the
customers- perceived service quality and satisfaction. While service
quality is wide in scope, and consists of various dimensions, there
may be differences in the relative importance of these dimensions in
affecting customers- overall satisfaction of service quality.
Identifying the relative rank of different dimensions of service quality
is very important in that it can help managers to find out which
service dimensions have a greater effect on customers- overall
satisfaction. Such an insight will consequently lead to more effective
resource allocation which will finally end in higher levels of
customer satisfaction. This issue – despite its criticality- has not
received enough attention so far. Therefore, using a sample of 240
bank customers in Iran, an artificial neural network is developed to
address this gap in the literature. As customers- evaluation of service
quality is a subjective process, artificial neural networks –as a brain
metaphor- may appear to have a potentiality to model such a
complicated process. Proposing a neural network which is able to
predict the customers- overall satisfaction of service quality with a
promising level of accuracy is the first contribution of this study. In
addition, prioritizing the service quality dimensions in affecting
customers- overall satisfaction –by using sensitivity analysis of
neural network- is the second important finding of this paper.