Abstract: This paper aims to explain the project carried out at
the University of Cordoba, specifically at the High Polytechnic
School in collaboration with two other organizations belonging to the
Andalusian Ministry of Innovation, Science and Business:
Andalusian Innovation and Development Agency (IDEA agency) [1]
and the Territorial Net of Entrepreneurship Support (in Spanish Red
Territorial de Apoyo al Emprendedor) [11].
The project is being developed in several stages of which only the
first one has already been completed. However, several important
preliminary results derive from it, based mainly in the description of
the nature of entrepreneurship in the field of university education and
its impact on student-s competency as recommended by the European
Higher Education Area. Some problems holding back the correct
future development will also be shown as derived from the specific
context of application of the project.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present two different
approaches of financial distress pre-warning models appropriate for
risk supervisors, investors and policy makers. We examine a sample
of the financial institutions and electronic companies of Taiwan
Security Exchange (TSE) market from 2002 through 2008. We
present a binary logistic regression with paned data analysis. With
the pooled binary logistic regression we build a model including
more variables in the regression than with random effects, while the
in-sample and out-sample forecasting performance is higher in
random effects estimation than in pooled regression. On the other
hand we estimate an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System
(ANFIS) with Gaussian and Generalized Bell (Gbell) functions and
we find that ANFIS outperforms significant Logit regressions in both
in-sample and out-of-sample periods, indicating that ANFIS is a
more appropriate tool for financial risk managers and for the
economic policy makers in central banks and national statistical
services.
Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with their high mechanical,
electrical, thermal and chemical properties are regarded as promising
materials for many different potential applications. Having unique
properties they can be used in a wide range of fields such as
electronic devices, electrodes, drug delivery systems, hydrogen
storage, textile etc. Catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) is a
common method for CNT production especially for mass production.
Catalysts impregnated on a suitable substrate are important for
production with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Iron
catalyst and MgO substrate is one of most common catalyst-substrate
combination used for CNT. In this study, CNTs were produced by
CCVD of acetylene (C2H2) on magnesium oxide (MgO) powder
substrate impregnated by iron nitrate (Fe(NO3)3•9H2O) solution. The
CNT synthesis conditions were as follows: at synthesis temperatures
of 500 and 800°C multiwall and single wall CNTs were produced
respectively. Iron (Fe) catalysts were prepared by with Fe:MgO ratio
of 1:100, 5:100 and 10:100. The duration of syntheses were 30 and
60 minutes for all temperatures and catalyst percentages. The
synthesized materials were characterized by thermal gravimetric
analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman
spectroscopy.
Abstract: Magnesium is used implant material potentially for
non-toxicity to the human body. Due to the excellent
bio-compatibility, Mg alloys is applied to implants avoiding removal
second surgery. However, it is found commercial magnesium alloys
including aluminum has low corrosion resistance, resulting
subcutaneous gas bubbles and consequently the approach as
permanent bio-materials. Generally, Aluminum is known to pollution
substance, and it raises toxicity to nervous system. Therefore
especially Mg-35Zn-3Ca alloy is prepared for new biodegradable
materials in this study. And the pulsed power is used in
constant-current mode of DC power kinds of anodization. Based on
the aforementioned study, it examines corrosion resistance and
biocompatibility by effect of current and frequency variation. The
surface properties and thickness were compared using scanning
electronic microscopy. Corrosion resistance was assessed via
potentiodynamic polarization and the effect of oxide layer on the body
was assessed cell viability. Anodized Mg-35Zn-3Ca alloy has good
biocompatibility in vitro by current and frequency variation.
Abstract: The algorithm represents the DCT coefficients to concentrate signal energy and proposes combination and dictator to eliminate the correlation in the same level subband for encoding the DCT-based images. This work adopts DCT and modifies the SPIHT algorithm to encode DCT coefficients. The proposed algorithm also provides the enhancement function in low bit rate in order to improve the perceptual quality. Experimental results indicate that the proposed technique improves the quality of the reconstructed image in terms of both PSNR and the perceptual results close to JPEG2000 at the same bit rate.
Abstract: A high performance computer includes a fast
processor and millions bytes of memory. During the data processing,
huge amount of information are shuffled between the memory and
processor. Because of its small size and its effectiveness speed, cache
has become a common feature of high performance computers.
Enhancing cache performance proved to be essential in the speed up
of cache-based computers. Most enhancement approaches can be
classified as either software based or hardware controlled. The
performance of the cache is quantified in terms of hit ratio or miss
ratio. In this paper, we are optimizing the cache performance based
on enhancing the cache hit ratio. The optimum cache performance is
obtained by focusing on the cache hardware modification in the way
to make a quick rejection to the missed line's tags from the hit-or
miss comparison stage, and thus a low hit time for the wanted line in
the cache is achieved. In the proposed technique which we called
Even- Odd Tabulation (EOT), the cache lines come from the main
memory into cache are classified in two types; even line's tags and
odd line's tags depending on their Least Significant Bit (LSB). This
division is exploited by EOT technique to reject the miss match line's
tags in very low time compared to the time spent by the main
comparator in the cache, giving an optimum hitting time for the
wanted cache line. The high performance of EOT technique against
the familiar mapping technique FAM is shown in the simulated
results.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to improve our
understanding of vulnerability and environmental change; it's causes
basically show the intensity, its distribution and human-environment
effect on the ecosystem in the Apodi Valley Region, This paper is
identify, assess and classify vulnerability and environmental change
in the Apodi valley region using a combined approach of landscape
pattern and ecosystem sensitivity. Models were developed using the
following five thematic layers: Geology, geomorphology, soil,
vegetation and land use/cover, by means of a Geographical
Information Systems (GIS)-based on hydro-geophysical parameters.
In spite of the data problems and shortcomings, using ESRI-s ArcGIS
9.3 program, the vulnerability score, to classify, weight and combine
a number of 15 separate land cover classes to create a single indicator
provides a reliable measure of differences (6 classes) among regions
and communities that are exposed to similar ranges of hazards.
Indeed, the ongoing and active development of vulnerability
concepts and methods have already produced some tools to help
overcome common issues, such as acting in a context of high
uncertainties, taking into account the dynamics and spatial scale of
asocial-ecological system, or gathering viewpoints from different
sciences to combine human and impact-based approaches. Based on
this assessment, this paper proposes concrete perspectives and
possibilities to benefit from existing commonalities in the
construction and application of assessment tools.
Abstract: In this work, ionic liquids (ILs) for CO2 capturing in typical absorption/stripper process are considered. The use of ionic liquids is considered to be cost-effective because it requires less energy for solvent recovery compared to other conventional processes. A mathematical model is developed for the process based on Peng-Robinson (PR) equation of state (EoS) which is validated with experimental data for various solutions involving CO2. The model is utilized to study the sorbent and energy demand for three types of ILs at specific CO2 capturing rates. The energy demand is manifested by the vapor-liquid equilibrium temperature necessary to remove the captured CO2 from the used solvent in the regeneration step. It is found that higher recovery temperature is required for solvents with higher solubility coefficient. For all ILs, the temperature requirement is less than that required by the typical monoethanolamine (MEA) solvent. The effect of the CO2 loading in the sorbent stream on the process performance is also examined.
Abstract: The investigating and assessing the effects of
relaxation training on the levels of state anxiety concerning first year
female nursing students at their initial experience in clinical setting.
This research is a quasi experimental study that was carried out in
nursing and midwifery faculty of Tehran university of medical
sciences .The sample of research consists 60 first term female
nursing students were selected through convenience and random
sampling. 30 of them were the experimental group and 30 of them
were in control group. The Instruments of data-collection has been a
questionnaire which consists of 3 parts. The first part includes 10
questions about demographic characteristics .the second part includes
20 question about anxiety (test 'Spielberg' ). The 3rd part includes
physiological indicators of anxiety (BP, P, R, body temperature). The
statistical tests included t-test and and fisher test, Data were
analyzed by SPSS software.
Abstract: In this paper, we start by first characterizing the most
important and distinguishing features of wavelet-based watermarking
schemes. We studied the overwhelming amount of algorithms
proposed in the literature. Application scenario, copyright protection
is considered and building on the experience that was gained,
implemented two distinguishing watermarking schemes. Detailed
comparison and obtained results are presented and discussed. We
concluded that Joo-s [1] technique is more robust for standard noise
attacks than Dote-s [2] technique.
Abstract: The principle concern of this paper is to determine the
impact of solar absorption coefficient of external wall on building
energy consumption. Simulations were carried out on a typical
residential building by using the simulation Toolkit DeST-h. Results
show that reducing solar absorption coefficient leads to a great
reduction in building energy consumption and thus light-colored
materials are suitable.
Abstract: Stable nonzero populations without random deaths
caused by the Verhulst factor (Verhulst-free) are a rarity. Majority
either grow without bounds or die of excessive harmful mutations.
To delay the accumulation of bad genes or diseases, a new
environmental parameter Γ is introduced in the simulation. Current
results demonstrate that stability may be achieved by setting Γ = 0.1.
These steady states approach a maximum size that scales inversely
with reproduction age.
Abstract: The Wavelet-Galerkin finite element method for
solving the one-dimensional heat equation is presented in this work.
Two types of basis functions which are the Lagrange and multi-level
wavelet bases are employed to derive the full form of matrix system.
We consider both linear and quadratic bases in the Galerkin method.
Time derivative is approximated by polynomial time basis that
provides easily extend the order of approximation in time space. Our
numerical results show that the rate of convergences for the linear
Lagrange and the linear wavelet bases are the same and in order 2
while the rate of convergences for the quadratic Lagrange and the
quadratic wavelet bases are approximately in order 4. It also reveals
that the wavelet basis provides an easy treatment to improve
numerical resolutions that can be done by increasing just its desired
levels in the multilevel construction process.
Abstract: The work we have accomplished in implementing a
Mobile Payment mechanism that enables customers to pay bills for
groceries and other purchased items in a store through the means of a
mobile phone, specifically a Smartphone. The mode of transaction, as
far as communication between the customer-s handset and the
merchant-s POS is concerned, we have decided upon NFC (Near
Field Communication). This is due to the fact that for the most part,
Pakistani Smartphone users have handsets that have Android mobile
OS, which supports the aforementioned platform, IOS, on the other
hand does not.
Abstract: purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of support services for students with special education needs (SEN) at colleges and universities in Taiwan. Seventy-two college and universities received a questionnaire on its resource room operation process and four resource room staffs each from different areas were interviewed through semi- structured interview forms. The main findings were (1) most colleges and universities did offer sufficient administrative resources; (2) more efforts on preventions for SEN students and establishment of disability awareness should be made for all campus faculties ; (3) more comprehensive services were required to help students to have better transition into post-school life; (4) most schools provided basic administrative resource requirements but qualities of the resource room programs needed to be enhanced; and (5) most resource room staffs lacked of professional knowledge in counseling the SEN students which needed to be strengthened in the future.
Abstract: It is impossible to think about democracy without elections. The litmus test of any electoral process in any country is the possibility of a one time minority to become a majority at another time and a peaceful transition of power. In many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa though the multi-party elections appeared to be competitive they failed the acid test of democracy: peaceful regime change in a free and fair election. Failure to solve electoral disputes might lead to bloody electoral conflicts as witnessed in many emerging democracies in Africa. The aim of this paper is to investigate electoral conflicts in Africa since the end of the Cold War by using the 2005 post-election violence in Ethiopia as a case study. In Ethiopia, the coming to power of the EPRDF in 1991 marked the fall of the Derg dictatorial military government and the beginning of a multi-party democracy. The country held multi-party parliamentary elections in 1995, 2000, and 2005 where the ruling EPRDF party “won" the elections through violence, involving intimidation, manipulation, detentions of political opponents, torture, and political assassinations. The 2005 electoral violence was the worst electoral violence in the country-s political history that led to the death of 193 protestors and the imprisonment of more than 40, 000 people. It is found out that the major causes of the 2005 Ethiopian election were the defeat of the ruling party in the election and its attempt to reverse the poll results by force; the Opposition-s lack of decisive leadership; the absence of independent courts and independent electoral management body; and the ruling party-s direct control over the army and police.
Abstract: In association with path dependence, researchers often
talk of institutional “lock-in", thereby indicating that far-reaching
path deviation or path departure are to be regarded as exceptional
cases. This article submits the alleged general inclination for stability
of path-dependent processes to a critical review. The different
reasons for path dependence found in the literature indicate that
different continuity-ensuring mechanisms are at work when people
talk about path dependence (“increasing returns", complementarity,
sequences etc.). As these mechanisms are susceptible to fundamental
change in different ways and to different degrees, the path
dependence concept alone is of only limited explanatory value. It is
therefore indispensable to identify the underlying continuity-ensuring
mechanism as well if a statement-s empirical value is to go beyond
the trivial, always true “history matters".
Abstract: This research aims to develop and evaluate a training
course to promote learning activities of 2nd year, Suan Sunandha
Rajabhat University, faculty of education students using multiple
intelligences theory. The process is divided into two phases: Phase 1
development of training course to promote learning activities
consisting of principles, objectives of the course, structure, training
duration, content, training materials, training activities, media
training, monitoring, measurement and evaluation quality of the
course. Phase 2 evaluation efficiency of training course was to use
the improved curriculum with experimental group which is 2nd year,
Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, faculty of education students
was drawn randomly 152 students. The experimental pattern was
randomized Control Group Pre-Test Post-Test Design, Analysis Data
by t-Test with the software SPFSS for Windows. Research has shown
that: 1). the ability of teaching and learning according to the theory of
multiple intelligences after training is higher than before training
significantly in statistic at .01 level, 2). The satisfaction of students
to the training courses was overall at the highest level.
Abstract: This paper implements the inventory model developed in the first part of this paper in a simplified problem to simultaneously reduce costs and risks in JIT systems. This model is developed to ascertain an optimal ordering strategy for procuring raw materials by using regular multi-external and local backup suppliers to reduce the total cost of the products, and at the same time to reduce the risks arising from this cost reduction within production systems. A comparison between the cost of using the JIT system and using the proposed inventory model shows the superiority of the use of the inventory model.
Abstract: In this paper I have developed a system for evaluating
the degree of fear emotion that the intelligent agent-based system
may feel when it encounters to a persecuting event. In this paper I
want to describe behaviors of emotional agents using human
behavior in terms of the way their emotional states evolve over time.
I have implemented a fuzzy inference system using Java
environment. As the inputs of this system, I have considered three
parameters related on human fear emotion. The system outputs can
be used in agent decision making process or choosing a person for
team working systems by combination the intensity of fear to other
emotion intensities.