Abstract: Experience is what makes a man perfect. Though we
tend to learn many a different things in life through practice still we
need to go an extra mile to gain experience which would be profitable
only when it is integrated with regular practice. A clear phenomenal
idea is that every teacher is a learner. The centralized idea of this paper would focus on the integrated
practices carried out among the students of Jizan University which
enhances learning through experiences. Integrated practices like
student-directed activities, balanced curriculum, phonological based
activities and use of consistent language would enlarge the vision and
mission of students to earn experience through learning. Students
who receive explicit instruction and guidance could practice the skills
and strategies through student-directed activities such as peer tutoring
and cooperative learning. The second effective practice is to use
consistent language. Consistent language provides students a model
for talking about the new concepts which also enables them to
communicate without hindrances. Phonological awareness is an
important early reading skill for all students. Students generally have
phonemic awareness in their home language can often transfer that
knowledge to a second language. And also a balanced curriculum
requires instruction in all the elements of reading. Reading is the
most effective skill when both basic and higher-order skills are
included on a daily basis. Computer based reading and listening skills
will empower students to understand language in a better way.
English language learners can benefit from sound reading instruction
even before they are fully proficient in English as long as the
instruction is comprehensible. Thus, if students have to be well
equipped in learning they should foreground themselves in various
integrated practices through multifarious experience for which
teachers are moderators and trainers. This type of learning prepares
the students for a constantly changing society which helps them to
meet the competitive world around them for better employability
fulfilling the vision and mission of the institution.
Abstract: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the
most important medical imaging modality. Subjective assessment of
the image quality is regarded as the gold standard to evaluate MR
images. In this study, a database of 210 MR images which contains
ten reference images and 200 distorted images is presented. The
reference images were distorted with four types of distortions: Rician
Noise, Gaussian White Noise, Gaussian Blur and DCT compression.
The 210 images were assessed by ten subjects. The subjective scores
were presented in Difference Mean Opinion Score (DMOS). The
DMOS values were compared with four FR-IQA metrics. We have
used Pearson Linear Coefficient (PLCC) and Spearman Rank Order
Correlation Coefficient (SROCC) to validate the DMOS values. The
high correlation values of PLCC and SROCC shows that the DMOS
values are close to the objective FR-IQA metrics.
Abstract: The liberalisation of the education industry has
exposed the institute of higher learning (IHL) in Malaysia to the
financial challenges. Without good financial standing, public
institution will rely on the government funding. Ostensibly, this
contradicts with the government’s aspiration to make universities
self-sufficient. With stiff competition from private institutes of higher
learning, IHL need to be prepared at the forefront level. The
corporate identity itself is the entrance to the world of higher learning
and it is in this uniqueness, it will be able to distinguish itself from
competitors. This paper examined the perception of the stakeholders
at one of the public universities in the east coast region in Malaysia
on the perceived reputation and how the university communicate its
preparedness for self-sustainability through corporate identity. The
findings indicated while the stakeholders embraced the challenges in
facing the stiff competition and struggling market conditions, most of
them felt the university should put more efforts in mobilising the
corporate identity to its constituencies.
Abstract: At a global level, water stewardship, water stress and
water security are crucial factors in tourism planning and
development considerations. Challenges associated with water is of
particular concern to the Maldives as there is limited availability of
freshwater, high dependency on desalinated water, and high unit cost
associated with desalinating water. While the Maldives is promoted
as an example of sustainable tourism, a key sustainability challenge
facing tourism dependent communities is the efficient use and
management of available water resources. A water crisis event in the
capital island of Maldives highlighted how precarious water related
issues are in this tourism dependent destination. Applying
netnography, the focus of this working paper is to present community
perceptions of how government policies addressed Malé Water and
Sewerage Company (MWSC) water crisis event.
Abstract: It is quite essential to investigate the causes of
pavement deterioration in order to select the proper maintenance
technique. The objective of this study was to identify factors cause
deterioration of recently constructed roads in Khartoum state. A
comprehensive literature concerning the factors of road deterioration,
common road defects and their causes were reviewed. Three major
road projects with different deterioration reasons were selected for
this study. The investigation involved field survey and laboratory
testing on those projects to examine the existing pavement
conditions. The results revealed that the roads investigated
experienced severe failures in the forms of cracks, potholes, and
rutting in the wheel path. The causes of those failures were found
mainly linked to poor drainage, traffic overloading, expansive
subgrade soils, and the use of low quality materials in construction.
Based on the results, recommendations were provided to help
highway engineers in selecting the most effective repair techniques
for specific kinds of distresses.
Abstract: Heat treatable aluminum alloys such as 7075 and
7055, because of high strength and low density, are used widely in
aircraft industry. For best mechanical properties, T6 heat treatment
has recommended for this regards, but this temper treatment is
sensitive to corrosion induced and Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC)
damage. For improving this property, the over-aging treatment (T7)
applies to this alloy, but it decreases the mechanical properties up to
30 percent. Hence, to increase the mechanical properties, without any
remarkable decrease in SCC resistant, Retrogression and Re-Aging
(RRA) heat treatment is used. This treatment performs in a relatively
short time. In this paper, the RRA heat treatment was applied to 7055
aluminum alloy and then effect of RRA time on the mechanical
properties of 7055 has been investigated. The results show that the
40-minute time is suitable time for retrogression of 7055 aluminum
alloy and ultimate strength increases up to 625MPa.
Abstract: This qualitative case study seeks to understand and
explain the deployment of radio frequency identification (RFID)
systems in two countries (i.e., in Taiwan for the adoption of electric
scooters and in Finland for supporting glass bottle recycling) using
the “Technology-Organization-Environment” theoretical framework.
This study also seeks to highlight the relevance and importance of
pursuing environmental sustainability in firms and in society in
general due to the social urgency of the issues involved.
Abstract: Sweep frequency response analysis has been turning
out a powerful tool for investigation of mechanical as well as
electrical integration of transformers. In this paper various aspect of
practical application of SFRA has been studied. Open circuit and
short circuit measurement were done on different phases of high
voltage and low voltage winding. A case study was presented for the
transformer of rating 31.5 MVA for various frequency ranges. A
clear picture was presented for sub- frequency ranges for HV as well
as LV winding. The main motive of work is to investigate high
voltage short circuit response. The theoretical concept about SFRA
responses is validated with expert system software results.
Abstract: Intermediate cities which also called medium size
cities have an important role in the process of globalization. It is
argued that, in some cases this type of cities may be depopulated or in
otherwise may be transformed as the periphery of metropolitans, so
that the personal identity of the city and its local cultural heritage
could suffer from its neighbor metropolitan. Over the last decades,
the role of tourism in the development process and the cultural
heritage has increased. The impact of tourism on socioeconomic
growth makes motivation for the study of tourism development in
regional and urban planning process. There are evidences that
tourism has a positive impact in local development and makes
economic motivations for cultural heritage protection. In this study,
by considering the role of tourism in local development, especially by
its economic and socio-cultural impacts, it is tried to introduce a
strategy for tourism development through a method of urban planning
for intermediate cities called as Base plan. Damavand is an
intermediate city located in Tehran province, Iran with a high
potential in tourism by its local specific characteristic like social
structure, antiquities and natural attractions. It’s selected as a suitable
case study for intended strategy which is a combination of urban
planning and tourism development methods. Focusing on recognition
of the historical and cultural heritage of Damavand, in this paper
through “base plan methodology” a strategy of urban planning
toward tourism development is prepared in order to make tourism
development as a support for cultural heritage of this city.
Abstract: Introduction: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) uses
high frequency mechanical stimuli generated by a vibration plate and
transmitted through bone, muscle and connective tissues to the whole
body. Research has shown that long-term vibration-plate training
improves neuromuscular facilitation, especially in afferent neural
pathways, responsible for the conduction of vibration and
proprioceptive stimuli, muscle function, balance and proprioception.
Some researchers suggest that the vibration stimulus briefly inhibits
the conduction of afferent signals from proprioceptors and can
interfere with the maintenance of body balance. The aim of this study
was to evaluate the influence of a single set of exercises associated
with whole-body vibration on the joint position sense and body
balance. Material and methods: The study enrolled 55 people aged
19-24 years. These individuals were randomly divided into a test
group (30 persons) and a control group (25 persons). Both groups
performed the same set of exercises on a vibration plate. The
following vibration parameters: frequency of 20Hz and amplitude of
3mm, were used in the test group. The control group performed
exercises on the vibration plate while it was off. All participants were
instructed to perform six dynamic exercises lasting 30 seconds each
with a 60-second period of rest between them. The exercises involved
large muscle groups of the trunk, pelvis and lower limbs.
Measurements were carried out before and immediately after
exercise. Joint position sense (JPS) was measured in the knee joint
for the starting position at 45° in an open kinematic chain. JPS error
was measured using a digital inclinometer. Balance was assessed in a
standing position with both feet on the ground with the eyes open and
closed (each test lasting 30 sec). Balance was assessed using Matscan
with FootMat 7.0 SAM software. The surface of the ellipse of
confidence and front-back as well as right-left swing were measured
to assess balance. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica
10.0 PL software. Results: There were no significant differences
between the groups, both before and after the exercise (p> 0.05). JPS
did not change in both the test (10.7° vs. 8.4°) and control groups
(9.0° vs. 8.4°). No significant differences were shown in any of the
test parameters during balance tests with the eyes open or closed in
both the test and control groups (p> 0.05). Conclusions: 1.
Deterioration in proprioception or balance was not observed
immediately after the vibration stimulus. This suggests that vibrationinduced
blockage of proprioceptive stimuli conduction can have only
a short-lasting effect that occurs only as long as a vibration stimulus
is present. 2. Short-term use of vibration in treatment does not impair
proprioception and seems to be safe for patients with proprioceptive
impairment. 3. These results need to be supplemented with an
assessment of proprioception during the application of vibration
stimuli. Additionally, the impact of vibration parameters used in the
exercises should be evaluated.
Abstract: The purposes of hydraulic gate are to maintain the
functions of storing and draining water. It bears long-term hydraulic
pressure and earthquake force and is very important for reservoir and
waterpower plant. The high tensile strength of steel plate is used as
constructional material of hydraulic gate. The cracks and rusts,
induced by the defects of material, bad construction and seismic
excitation and under water respectively, thus, the mechanics
phenomena of gate with crack are probing into the cause of stress
concentration, induced high crack increase rate, affect the safety and
usage of hydroelectric power plant. Stress distribution analysis is a
very important and essential surveying technique to analyze
bi-material and singular point problems. The finite difference
infinitely small element method has been demonstrated, suitable for
analyzing the buckling phenomena of welding seam and steel plate
with crack. Especially, this method can easily analyze the singularity
of kink crack. Nevertheless, the construction form and deformation
shape of some gates are three-dimensional system. Therefore, the
three-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (DIC) has been
developed and applied to analyze the strain variation of steel plate with
crack at weld joint. The proposed Digital image correlation (DIC)
technique is an only non-contact method for measuring the variation of
test object. According to rapid development of digital camera, the cost
of this digital image correlation technique has been reduced.
Otherwise, this DIC method provides with the advantages of widely
practical application of indoor test and field test without the restriction
on the size of test object. Thus, the research purpose of this research is
to develop and apply this technique to monitor mechanics crack
variations of weld steel hydraulic gate and its conformation under
action of loading. The imagines can be picked from real time
monitoring process to analyze the strain change of each loading stage.
The proposed 3-Dimensional digital image correlation method,
developed in the study, is applied to analyze the post-buckling
phenomenon and buckling tendency of welded steel plate with crack.
Then, the stress intensity of 3-dimensional analysis of different
materials and enhanced materials in steel plate has been analyzed in
this paper. The test results show that this proposed three-dimensional
DIC method can precisely detect the crack variation of welded steel
plate under different loading stages. Especially, this proposed DIC
method can detect and identify the crack position and the other flaws
of the welded steel plate that the traditional test methods hardly detect
these kind phenomena. Therefore, this proposed three-dimensional
DIC method can apply to observe the mechanics phenomena of
composite materials subjected to loading and operating.
Abstract: In order to be competitive, companies have to reduce
their production costs while meeting increasing quality requirements.
Therefore, companies try to plan their assembly processes as detailed
as possible. However, increasing product individualization leading to
a higher number of variants, smaller batch sizes and shorter product
life cycles raise the question to what extent the effort of detailed
planning is still justified. An important approach in this field of
research is the concept of determining the economic planning depth
for assembly process planning based on production specific
influencing factors. In this paper first solution hypotheses as well as a
first draft of the resulting method will be presented.
Abstract: The education sector is constantly faced with rapid
changes in technologies in terms of ensuring that the curriculum is up
to date and in terms of making sure that students are aware of these
technological changes. This challenge can be seen as the motivation
for this study, which is to examine the factors affecting computing
students’ awareness of the latest Information Technologies (ICTs).
The aim of this study is divided into two sub-objectives which are:
the selection of relevant theories and the design of a conceptual
model to support it as well as the empirical testing of the designed
model. The first objective is achieved by a review of existing
literature on technology adoption theories and models. The second
objective is achieved using a survey of computing students in the four
universities of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Data
collected from this survey is analyzed using Statistical package for
the Social Science (SPSS) using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and
Pearson correlations. The main hypothesis of this study is that there is
a relationship between the demographics and the prior conditions of
the computing students and their awareness of general ICT trends and
of Digital Switch Over (DSO) a new technology which involves the
change from analog to digital television broadcasting in order to
achieve improved spectrum efficiency. The prior conditions of the
computing students that were considered in this study are students’
perceived exposure to career guidance and students’ perceived
curriculum currency. The results of this study confirm that gender,
ethnicity, and high school computing course affect students’
perceived curriculum currency while high school location affects
students’ awareness of DSO. The results of this study also confirm
that there is a relationship between students prior conditions and their
awareness of general ICT trends and DSO in particular.
Abstract: As computing technology advances, smartphone
applications can assist student learning in a pervasive way. For
example, the idea of using mobile apps for the PA Common Trees,
Pests, Pathogens, in the field as a reference tool allows middle school
students to learn about trees and associated pests/pathogens without
bringing a textbook. While working on the development of three heterogeneous mobile
apps, we ran into numerous challenges. Both the traditional waterfall
model and the more modern agile methodologies failed in practice.
The waterfall model emphasizes the planning of the duration for each
phase. When the duration of each phase is not consistent with the
availability of developers, the waterfall model cannot be employed.
When applying Agile Methodologies, we cannot maintain the high
frequency of the iterative development review process, known as
‘sprints’. In this paper, we discuss the challenges and solutions. We
propose a hybrid model known as the Relay Race Methodology to
reflect the concept of racing and relaying during the process of
software development in practice. Based on the development project,
we observe that the modeling of the relay race transition between any
two phases is manifested naturally. Thus, we claim that the RRM
model can provide a de fecto rather than a de jure basis for the core
concept in the software development model. In this paper, the background of the project is introduced first.
Then, the challenges are pointed out followed by our solutions.
Finally, the experiences learned and the future works are presented.
Abstract: Large-scale machine tools for the manufacturing of
large work pieces, e.g. blades, casings or gears for wind turbines,
feature pose-dependent dynamic behavior. Small structural damping
coefficients lead to long decay times for structural vibrations that
have negative impacts on the production process. Typically, these
vibrations are handled by increasing the stiffness of the structure by
adding mass. This is counterproductive to the needs of sustainable
manufacturing as it leads to higher resource consumption both in
material and in energy. Recent research activities have led to higher
resource efficiency by radical mass reduction that is based on controlintegrated
active vibration avoidance and damping methods. These
control methods depend on information describing the dynamic
behavior of the controlled machine tools in order to tune the
avoidance or reduction method parameters according to the current
state of the machine. This paper presents the appearance, consequences and challenges
of the pose-dependent dynamic behavior of lightweight large-scale
machine tool structures in production. It starts with the theoretical
introduction of the challenges of lightweight machine tool structures
resulting from reduced stiffness. The statement of the pose-dependent
dynamic behavior is corroborated by the results of the experimental
modal analysis of a lightweight test structure. Afterwards, the
consequences of the pose-dependent dynamic behavior of lightweight
machine tool structures for the use of active control and vibration
reduction methods are explained. Based on the state of the art of
pose-dependent dynamic machine tool models and the modal
investigation of an FE-model of the lightweight test structure, the
criteria for a pose-dependent model for use in vibration reduction are
derived. The description of the approach for a general posedependent
model of the dynamic behavior of large lightweight
machine tools that provides the necessary input to the aforementioned
vibration avoidance and reduction methods to properly tackle
machine vibrations is the outlook of the paper.
Abstract: Excessive fretting wear at the taper-trunnion junction
(trunnionosis) apparently contributes to the high failure rates of hip
implants. Implant wear and corrosion lead to the release of metal
particulate debris and subsequent release of metal ions at the tapertrunnion
surface. This results in a type of metal poisoning referred to
as metallosis. The consequences of metal poisoning include;
osteolysis (bone loss), osteoarthritis (pain), aseptic loosening of the
prosthesis and revision surgery. Follow up after revision surgery,
metal debris particles are commonly found in numerous locations. Background: A stable connection between the femoral ball head
(taper) and stem (trunnion) is necessary to prevent relative motions
and corrosion at the taper junction. Hence, the importance of
component assembly cannot be over-emphasized. Therefore, the aim
of this study is to determine the influence of head-stem junction
assembly by press fitting and the subsequent
disengagement/disassembly on the connection strength between the
taper ball head and stem. Methods: CoCr femoral heads were assembled with High stainless
hydrogen steel stem (trunnion) by Push-in i.e. press fit; and
disengaged by pull-out test. The strength and stability of the two
connections were evaluated by measuring the head pull-out forces
according to ISO 7206-10 standards. Findings: The head-stem junction strength linearly increases with
assembly forces.
Abstract: Novel wind-lens turbine designs can augment power
output. Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) is used
to form large and complex structures from a Carbon Fiber Reinforced
Polymer (CFRP) composite. Typically, wind-lens turbine structures
are fabricated in segments, and then bonded to form the final structure.
This paper introduces five new adhesive joints, divided into two
groups: one is constructed between dry carbon and CFRP fabrics, and
the other is constructed with two dry carbon fibers. All joints and
CFRP fabrics were made in our laboratory using VARTM
manufacturing techniques. Specimens were prepared for tensile testing
to measure joint performance. The results showed that the second
group of joints achieved a higher tensile strength than the first group.
On the other hand, the tensile fracture behavior of the two groups
showed the same pattern of crack originating near the joint ends
followed by crack propagation until fracture.
Abstract: In this study, the three-dimensional cavitating
turbulent flow in a complete Francis turbine is simulated using
mixture model for cavity/liquid two-phase flows. Numerical analysis
is carried out using ANSYS CFX software release 12, and standard k-ε
turbulence model is adopted for this analysis. The computational
fluid domain consist of spiral casing, stay vanes, guide vanes, runner
and draft tube. The computational domain is discretized with a threedimensional
mesh system of unstructured tetrahedron mesh. The
finite volume method (FVM) is used to solve the governing equations
of the mixture model. Results of cavitation on the runner’s blades
under three different boundary conditions are presented and
discussed. From the numerical results it has been found that the
numerical method was successfully applied to simulate the cavitating
two-phase turbulent flow through a Francis turbine, and also
cavitation is clearly predicted in the form of water vapor formation
inside the turbine. By comparison the numerical prediction results
with a real runner; it’s shown that the region of higher volume
fraction obtained by simulation is consistent with the region of runner
cavitation damage.
Abstract: The paper is focused to the evaluation railway tracks
in the Slovakia by using Multi-Criteria method. Evaluation of railway
tracks has important impacts for the assessment of investment in
technical equipment. Evaluation of railway tracks also has an
important impact for the allocation of marshalling yards. Marshalling
yards are in transport model as centers for the operation assigned
catchment area. This model is one of the effective ways to meet the
development strategy of the European Community's railways. By
applying this model in practice, a transport company can guarantee a
higher quality of service and then expect an increase in performance.
The model is also applicable to other rail networks. This model
supplements a theoretical problem of train formation problem of new
ways of looking at evaluation of factors affecting the organization of
wagon flows.
Abstract: The article includes the results and conclusions from
empirical researches that had been done. The research focuses on the
impact of investments made in small and medium-sized enterprises
financed from EU funds on the competitiveness of these companies.
The researches includes financial results in sales revenue and net
income, expenses, and many other new products/services on offer,
higher quality products and services, more modern methods of
production, innovation in management processes, increase in the
number of customers, increase in market share, increase in
profitability of production and provision of services. The main
conclusions are that, companies with direct investments under this
measure shall apply the modern methods of production. The
consequence of this is to increase the quality of our products and
services. Furthermore, both small and medium-sized enterprises have
introduced new products and services. Investments were carried out,
thus enabling better work organization in enterprises. Entrepreneurs
would guarantee higher quality of service, which would result in
better relationships with their customers, what is more, noting the rise
in number of clients. More than half of the companies indicated that
the investments contributed to the increase in market share. Same
thing as for market reach and brand recognition of particular
company. An interesting finding is that, investments in small
enterprises were more effective than medium-sized enterprises.