Abstract: This paper presents dynamic models of distributed
generators (DG) and investigates dynamic behavior of the DG units
in the micro grid system. The DG units include photovoltaic and fuel
cell sources. The voltage source inverter is adopted since the
electronic interface which can be equipped with its controller to keep
stability of the micro grid during small signal dynamics. This paper
also introduces power management strategies and implements the DG
load sharing concept to keep the micro grid operation in gridconnected
and islanding modes of operation. The results demonstrate
the operation and performance of the photovoltaic and fuel cell as
distributed generators in a micro grid. The entire control system in
the micro grid is developed by combining the benefits of the power
control and the voltage control strategies. Simulation results are all
reported, confirming the validity of the proposed control technique.
Abstract: All the software engineering researches and best
industry practices aim at providing software products with high
degree of quality and functionality at low cost and less time. These
requirements are addressed by the Component Based Software
Engineering (CBSE) as well. CBSE, which deals with the software
construction by components’ assembly, is a revolutionary extension
of Software Engineering. CBSE must define and describe processes
to assure timely completion of high quality software systems that are
composed of a variety of pre built software components. Though
these features provide distinct and visible benefits in software design
and programming, they also raise some challenging problems. The
aim of this work is to summarize the pertinent issues and
considerations in CBSE to make an understanding in forms of
concepts and observations that may lead to development of newer
ways of dealing with the problems and challenges in CBSE.
Abstract: After the internet explosion in the 90’s, technology
was immediately integrated into the school system. Technology
which symbolizes advancement in human knowledge was seen as a
setback by many educators. Efforts have been made to help stem this
erroneous believes and help educators realize the benefits of
technology and ways of implementing it in the classrooms especially
in the sciences. This advancement created a constantly expanding gap
between the pupil’s perception on the use of technology within the
learning atmosphere and the teacher’s perception and limitations
hence, the focus of this paper is on the need to refocus on the use of
Science and Technology in enhancing children’s potentials in
learning at school especially in Science for sustainable development
in Nigeria. The paper recommended measures for facilitating the
sustenance of science and technology in Nigerian schools so as to
enhance the potentials of our children in Science and Technology for
a better tomorrow.
Abstract: There are several possibilities of reducing the required
amount of cement in concrete production. Natural zeolite is one of
the raw materials which can partly substitute Portland cement. The
effort to reduce the amount of Portland cement used in concrete
production is brings both economical as well as ecological benefits.
The paper presents the properties of concrete containing natural
zeolite as an active admixture in the concrete which partly substitutes
Portland cement. The properties discussed here bring information
about the basic mechanical properties and frost resistance of concrete
containing zeolite. The properties of concretes with the admixture of
zeolite are compared with a reference concrete with no content of
zeolite. The properties of the individual concretes are observed for
360 days.
Abstract: The value co-creation has gained much attention in
sales research, but less is known about how salespeople and
customers interact in the authentic business to business (B2B) sales
meetings. The study presented in this paper empirically contributes to
existing research by presenting authentic B2B sales meetings that
were video recorded and analyzed using observation and qualitative
content analysis methods. This paper aims to study key elements of
successful sales interactions between salespeople and customers/
buyers. This study points out that salespeople are selling value rather
than the products or services themselves, which are only enablers in
realizing business benefits. Therefore, our findings suggest that
promoting and easing open discourse is an essential part of a
successful sales encounter. A better understanding of how
salespeople and customers successfully interact would help
salespeople to develop their interpersonal sales skills.
Abstract: Despite the highly touted benefits, emerging
technologies have unleashed pervasive concerns regarding unintended
and unforeseen social impacts. Thus, those wishing to create safe and
socially acceptable products need to identify such side effects and
mitigate them prior to the market proliferation. Various methodologies
in the field of technology assessment (TA), namely Delphi, impact
assessment, and scenario planning, have been widely incorporated in
such a circumstance. However, literatures face a major limitation in
terms of sole reliance on participatory workshop activities. They
unfortunately missed out the availability of a massive untapped data
source of futuristic information flooding through the Internet. This
research thus seeks to gain insights into utilization of futuristic data,
future-oriented documents from the Internet, as a supplementary
method to generate social impact scenarios whilst capturing
perspectives of experts from a wide variety of disciplines. To this end,
network analysis is conducted based on the social keywords extracted
from the futuristic documents by text mining, which is then used as a
guide to produce a comprehensive set of detailed scenarios. Our
proposed approach facilitates harmonized depictions of possible
hazardous consequences of emerging technologies and thereby makes
decision makers more aware of, and responsive to, broad qualitative
uncertainties.
Abstract: Hurling a successful Construction and Demolition
Waste (C&DW) recycling operation around the globe is a challenge
today, predominantly because secondary materials markets are yet to
be integrated. Reducing, Reusing and recycling of (C&DW) have
been employed over the years, and various techniques have been
investigated. However, the economic and environmental viability of
its application seems limited. This paper discusses the costs and
benefits in using secondary materials and focus on investigating reuse
and recycling process for five major types of construction materials:
concrete, metal, wood, cardboard/paper and plasterboard. Data
obtained from demolition specialists and contractors are considered
and evaluated. The research paper found that construction material
recovery process fully incorporate a 3R’s principle contributing to
saving energy and natural resources. This scrutiny leads to the
empathy of grand challenges in construction material recovery
process. Recommendations to deepen material recovery process are
also discussed.
Abstract: This paper analyzes the political and economic issues
that people with disabilities face related to globalization; how people
with disabilities have been adapting globalization and surviving under
worldwide competition system. It explains that economic
globalization exacerbates inequality and deprivation of people with
disabilities. The rising tide of neo-liberal welfare policies emphasized
efficiency, downsized social expenditure for people with disabilities,
excluded people with disabilities against labor market, and shifted
them from welfare system to nothing. However, there have been
people with disabilities' political responses to globalization, which are
characterized by a global network of people with disabilities as well as
participation to global governance. Their resistance can be seen as an
attempt to tackle the problems that economic globalization has
produced. It is necessary paradigm shift of disability policy from
dependency represented by disability benefits to independency
represented by labor market policies for people with disabilities.
Abstract: Presently, it is necessary to ensure the sustainable
development of passenger and freight transport. Increasing
performance of road freight has had a negative impact to environment
and society. It is therefore necessary to increase the competitiveness
of intermodal transport, which is more environmentally friendly. The
study describes the effectiveness of logistical centers realization for
companies and society and research how the partial internalization of
external costs reflected in the efficient use of these centers and
increase the competitiveness of intermodal transport to road freight.
In our research, we use the method of comparative analysis and
market research to describe the advantages of logistic centers for their
users as well as for society as a whole. Method normal costing is used
for calculation infrastructure and total costs, method of conversion
costing for determine the external costs. We modelled total society
costs for road freight transport and inter modal transport chain (we
assumed that most of the traffic is carried by rail) with different
loading schemes for condition in the Slovak Republic. Our research
has shown that higher utilization of inter modal transport chain do
good not only for society, but for companies providing freight
services too. Increase in use of inter modal transport chain can bring
many benefits to society that do not bring direct immediate financial
return. They often bring the multiplier effects, such as greater use of
environmentally friendly transport mode and reduce the total society
costs.
Abstract: Diminished antioxidant defense or increased
production of reactive oxygen species in the biological system can
result in oxidative stress which may lead to various
neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Microglial activation also contributes to the progression of AD by
producing several proinflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide (NO) and
prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Oxidative stress and inflammation have
been reported to be possible pathophysiological mechanisms
underlying AD. In addition, the cholinergic hypothesis postulates that
memory impairment in patient with AD is also associated with the
deficit of cholinergic function in the brain. Although a number of
drugs have been approved for the treatment of AD, most of these
synthetic drugs have diverse side effects and yield relatively modest
benefits. Marine algae have great potential in pharmaceutical and
biomedical applications as they are valuable sources of bioactive
properties such as anticoagulation, antimicrobial, antioxidative,
anticancer and anti-inflammatory. Hence, this study aimed to provide
an overview of the properties of Malaysian seaweeds (Padina
australis, Sargassum polycystum and Caulerpa racemosa) in
inhibiting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and cholinesterase
enzymes. These seaweeds significantly exhibited potent DPPH and
moderate superoxide anion radical scavenging ability (P
Abstract: The impact of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) has
been analyzed for many years by researchers. There are lot of
theoretical studies proving the SEZs importance for regional
development, however, there is lack of empirical studies (and they
are mainly focused on China market) that are based on available data.
The theoretical studies indicate the various impacts of enterprises
operating within SEZs on the economy. The article proves that, in
case of Poland, locating SEZs in municipalities is an important part
of increasing municipalities’ income. Therefore SEZs have a positive
impact on regional development. Municipality income is understood
as taxes paid by taxpayers who depend on SEZ companies’
performance. The analysis includes the Corporate Income Tax (CIT),
Personal Income Tax (PIT) and real estate tax. The effects of SEZs
on regional development were narrowed to a few variables that are
most significant for the financial system. The analysis indicates the
significant impact of SEZs on the amount of taxes influencing the
municipality budget.
Abstract: This paper seeks to analyse the benefits of big data
and more importantly the challenges it pose to the subject of privacy
and data protection. First, the nature of big data will be briefly
deliberated before presenting the potential of big data in the present
days. Afterwards, the issue of privacy and data protection is
highlighted before discussing the challenges of implementing this
issue in big data. In conclusion, the paper will put forward the debate
on the adequacy of the existing legal framework in protecting
personal data in the era of big data.
Abstract: This paper examines how “Zakat” provides fair
income redistribution and aids the struggle against poverty. Providing
fair income redistribution and combating poverty constitutes some of
the fundamental tasks performed by countries all over the world.
Each country seeks a solution for these problems according to their
political, economic and administrative styles through applying
various economic and financial policies. The same situation can be
handled via “zakat” association in Islam. Nowadays, we observe
different versions of “zakat” in developed countries. Applications
such as negative income tax denote merely a different form of
“zakat” that is being applied almost in the same way but under
changed names. However, the minimum values to donate under zakat
(e.g. 85 gr. gold and 40 animals) get altered and various amounts are
put into practice. It might be named as negative income tax instead of
zakat, nonetheless, these applications are based on the Holy Koran
and the hadith released 1400 years ago. Besides, considering the
savage and slavery in the world at those times, we might easily
recognize the true value of the zakat being applied for the first time
then in the Islamic system. Through zakat, governments are able to
transfer incomes to the poor as a means of enabling them achieve the
minimum standard of living required. With regards to who benefits
from the Zakat, an objective and fair criteria was used to determine
who benefits from the zakat contrary to the notion that it was based
on peoples’ own choices. Since the zakat is obligatory, the transfers
do not get forwarded directly but via the government and get
distributed, which requires vast governmental organizations. Through
the application of Zakat, reduced levels of poverty can be achieved
and also ensure the fair income redistribution.
Abstract: The main aim of this article is to present a balance of the decade of Polish air transport market in the European Union having taking into account selected entities of the aviation market. This article analyzes the functioning of the Polish air transport market after the Polish accession to the European Union. During the study two main areas were pointed: shipping activity and activity of the airports. The most important benefits of integration and the benefits of introducing of the open sky policy were indicated. The last part of the article presents the perspectives of development of air traffic.
Abstract: This study attempts to elicit the perceptions and
attitudes of EFL learners of the Preparatory Year Program at KSU
towards dialogue journal writing as an EFL learning strategy. The
descriptive research design used incorporated both qualitative and
quantitative instruments to accomplish the objectives of the study. A
learners’ attitude questionnaire and follow-up interviewswith learners
from a randomly selected representative sample of the participants
were employed. The participants were 55 female Saudi university
students in the Preparatory Year Program at King Saud University.
The analysis of the results indicated that the PYP learners had highly
positive attitudes towards dialogue journal writing in their EFL
classes and positive perceptions of the benefits of the use of dialogue
journal writing as an EFL learning strategy. The results also revealed
that dialogue journals are considered an effective EFL learning
strategy since they fulfill various needs for both learners and
instructors. Interestingly, the analysis of the results also revealed that
Saudi university level students tend to write about personal topics in
their dialogue journals more than academic ones.
Abstract: This article is to review and understand the new
generation of students to understand their expectations and attitudes.
There are a group of students on school projects, creative work,
educational software and digital signal source, the use of social
networking tools to communicate with friends and a part in the
competition. Today's students have been described as the new
millennium students. They use information and communication
technology in a more creative and innovative at home than at school,
because the information and communication technologies for
different purposes, in the home, usually occur in school. They
collaborate and communicate more effectively when they are at
home. Most children enter school, they will bring about how to use
information and communication technologies, some basic skills and
some tips on how to use information and communication technology
will provide a more advanced than most of the school's expectations.
Many teachers can help students, however, still a lot of work,
"tradition", without a computer, and did not see the "new social
computing networks describe young people to learn and new ways of
working life in the future", in the education system of the benefits of
using a computer.
Abstract: This paper introduces novel approaches to partitioning
and mapping in terms of model-based embedded multicore system
engineering and further discusses benefits, industrial relevance and
features in common with existing approaches. In order to assess
and evaluate results, both approaches have been applied to a real
industrial application as well as to various prototypical demonstrative
applications, that have been developed and implemented for
different purposes. Evaluations show, that such applications improve
significantly according to performance, energy efficiency, meeting
timing constraints and covering maintaining issues by using
the AMALTHEA platform and the implemented approaches.
Furthermore, the model-based design provides an open, expandable,
platform independent and scalable exchange format between
OEMs, suppliers and developers on different levels. Our proposed
mechanisms provide meaningful multicore system utilization since
load balancing by means of partitioning and mapping is effectively
performed with regard to the modeled systems including hardware,
software, operating system, scheduling, constraints, configuration and
more data.
Abstract: It is widely believed that mobile device is a promising technology for lending the opportunity for the third wave of electronic commerce. Mobile devices have changed the way companies do business. Many applications are under development or being incorporated into business processes. In this day, mobile applications are a vital component of any industry strategy.One of the greatest benefits of selling merchandise and providing services on a mobile application is that it widens a company’s customer base significantly.Mobile applications are accessible to interested customers across regional and international borders in different electronic business (e-business) area. But there is a dark side to this success story. The security risks associated with mobile devices and applications are very significant. This paper introduces a broad risk analysis for the various threats, vulnerabilities, and risks in mobile e-business applications and presents some important risk mitigation approaches. It reviews and compares two different frameworks for security assurance in mobile e-business applications. Based on the comparison, the paper suggests some recommendations for applications developers and business owners in mobile e-business application development process.
Abstract: Given the dynamic nature of the higher education
landscape, induction programmes for new academics has become the
norm nowadays to support academics negotiate these rough terrain.
This study investigates an induction programme for new academics
in a higher education institution to establish what difference it has
made to participants. The findings revealed that the benefits ranged
from creating safe spaces for collaboration and networking to
fostering reflective practice and contributing to the scholarship of
teaching and learning. The study also revealed that some of the
intentions of the programme may not have been achieved, for
example transformative learning. This led to questioning whether this
intention is an appropriate one given the short duration of the
programme and the long, drawn out process of transformation. It may
be concluded that the academic induction programme in this study
serves to sow the seeds for transformative learning through fostering
critically reflective practice. Recommendations for further study
could include long term impact of the programme on student learning
and success, these being the core business of higher education. It is
also recommended that in addition to an induction programme, the
university invests in a mentoring programme for new staff and extend
the support for academics in order to sustain critical reflection and
which may contribute to transformative educational practice.
Abstract: This paper describes a novel application of Fiber
Braggs Grating (FBG) sensors in the assessment of human postural
stability and balance on an unstable platform. In this work, FBG
sensor Stability Analyzing Device (FBGSAD) is developed for
measurement of plantar strain to assess the postural stability of
subjects on unstable platforms during different stances in eyes open
and eyes closed conditions on a rocker board. The studies are
validated by comparing the Centre of Gravity (CG) variations
measured on the lumbar vertebra of subjects using a commercial
accelerometer. The results obtained from the developed FBGSAD
depict qualitative similarities with the data recorded by commercial
accelerometer. The advantage of the FBGSAD is that it measures
simultaneously plantar strain distribution and postural stability of the
subject along with its inherent benefits like non-requirement of
energizing voltage to the sensor, electromagnetic immunity and
simple design which suits its applicability in biomechanical
applications. The developed FBGSAD can serve as a tool/yardstick to
mitigate space motion sickness, identify individuals who are
susceptible to falls and to qualify subjects for balance and stability,
which are important factors in the selection of certain unique
professionals such as aircraft pilots, astronauts, cosmonauts etc.