Abstract: While the need for equal access to civil, political as well as economic, social and cultural rights is clear under the international law, the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women in 1979 made this even clearer. Despite this positive progress, the abuse of refugee women's rights is one of the basic underlying root causes of their marginalisation and violence in their countries of asylum. This paper presents a critical review on the development of refugee women's rights at the international levels and national levels. It provides an array of scholarly literature on this issue and examines the measures taken by the international community to curb the problem of violence against women in their various provisions through the instruments set. It is cognizant of the fact that even if conflict affects both refugee women and men, the effects on women refugees are deep-reaching, due to the cultural strongholds they face. An important aspect of this paper is that it is conceptualised against the fact that refugee women face the problem of sexual and gender based first as refugees and second as women, yet, their rights are stumbled upon. Often times they have been rendered "worthless victims" who are only in need of humanitarian assistance than active participants committed to change their plight through their participation in political, economic and social participation in their societies. Scholars have taken notice of the fact that women's rights in refugee settings have been marginalized and call for a need to incorporate their perspectives in the planning and management of refugee settings in which they live. Underpinning this discussion is feminism theory which gives a clear understanding of the root cause of refugee women's problems. Finally, this paper suggests that these policies should be translated into action at local, national international and regional levels to ensure sustainable peace.
Abstract: Soil improvement using vibro stone column techniques consists of two main parts: (1) the installed load bearing columns of well-compacted, coarse-grained material and (2) the improvements to the surrounding soil due to vibro compaction. Extensive research work has been carried out over the last 20 years to understand the improvement in the composite foundation performance due to the second part mentioned above. Nevertheless, few of these studies have tried to quantify some of the key design parameters, namely the changes in the stiffness and stress state of the treated soil, or have consider these parameters in the design and calculation process. Consequently, empirical and conservative design methods are still being used by ground improvement companies with a significant variety of results in engineering practice. Two-dimensional finite element study to develop an axisymmetric model of a single stone column reinforced foundation was performed using PLAXIS 2D AE to quantify the effect of the vibro installation of this column in soft saturated clay. Settlement and bearing performance were studied as an essential part of the design and calculation of the stone column foundation. Particular attention was paid to the large deformation in the soft clay around the installed column caused by the lateral expansion. So updated mesh advanced option was taken in the analysis. In this analysis, different degrees of stone column lateral expansions were simulated and numerically analyzed, and then the changes in the stress state, stiffness, settlement performance and bearing capacity were quantified. It was found that application of radial expansion will produce a horizontal stress in the soft clay mass that gradually decrease as the distance from the stone column axis increases. The excess pore pressure due to the undrained conditions starts to dissipate immediately after finishing the column installation, allowing the horizontal stress to relax. Changes in the coefficient of the lateral earth pressure K ٭, which is very important in representing the stress state, and the new stiffness distribution in the reinforced clay mass, were estimated. More encouraging results showed that increasing the expansion during column installation has a noticeable effect on improving the bearing capacity and reducing the settlement of reinforced ground, So, a design method should include this significant effect of the applied lateral displacement during the stone column instillation in simulation and numerical analysis design.
Abstract: At present, application of the extension of soft set theory in decision making problems in day to day life is progressing rapidly. The concepts of fuzzy soft set and its properties have been evolved as an area of interest for the researchers. The generalization of the concepts recently got importance and a rapid growth in the research in this area witnessed its vital-ness. In this paper, an application of the concept of generalized fuzzy soft set to make decision in a social problem is presented. Further, this paper also highlights some of the key issues of the related areas.
Abstract: Following plants-barley (Hordeum sativum), alfalfa
(Medicago sativa), grass mixture (red fescue-75%, long-term
ryegrass - 20% Kentucky bluegrass - 10%), oilseed rape (Brassica
napus biennis), resistant to growth in the contaminated soil with oil
content of 15.8 g / kg 25.9 g / kg soil were used. Analysis of the
population showed that the oil pollution reduces the number of
bacteria in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of plants and enhances the
amount of spore-forming bacteria and saprotrophic micromycetes. It
was shown that regardless of the plant, dominance of Pseudomonas
and Bacillus genera bacteria was typical for the rhizosphere and
rhizoplane of plants. The frequency of bacteria of these genera was
more than 60%. Oil pollution changes the ratio of occurrence of
various types of bacteria in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of plants.
Besides the Pseudomonas and Bacillus genera, in the presence of
hydrocarbons in the root zone of plants dominant and most typical
were the representatives of the Mycobacterium and Rhodococcus
genera. Together the number was between 62% to 72%.
Abstract: Sodium borosilicate glasses doped with different
content of NdF3 mol % have been prepared by rapid quenching
method. Ultrasonic velocities (both longitudinal and shear)
measurements have been carried out at room temperature and at
ultrasonic frequency of 4 MHz. Elastic moduli, Debye temperature,
softening temperature and Poisson's ratio have been obtained as a
function of NdF3 modifier content. Results showed that the elastic
moduli, Debye temperature, softening temperature and Poisson's ratio
have very slight change with the change of NdF3 mol % content.
Based on FTIR spectroscopy and theoretical (Bond compression)
model, quantitative analysis has been carried out in order to obtain
more information about the structure of these glasses. The study
indicated that the structure of these glasses is mainly composed of
SiO4 units with four bridging oxygens (Q4), and with three bridging
and one nonbridging oxygens (Q3).
Abstract: Nowadays, ontologies are used for achieving a
common understanding within a user community and for sharing
domain knowledge. However, the de-centralized nature of the web
makes indeed inevitable that small communities will use their own
ontologies to describe their data and to index their own resources.
Certainly, accessing to resources from various ontologies created
independently is an important challenge for answering end user
queries. Ontology mapping is thus required for combining ontologies.
However, mapping complete ontologies at run time is a
computationally expensive task. This paper proposes a system in
which mappings between concepts may be generated dynamically as
the concepts are encountered during user queries. In this way, the
interaction itself defines the context in which small and relevant
portions of ontologies are mapped. We illustrate application of the
proposed system in the context of Technology Enhanced Learning
(TEL) where learners need to access to learning resources covering
specific concepts.
Abstract: Augmented and Virtual Realties is quickly becoming
a hotbed of activity with millions of dollars being spent on R & D
and companies such as Google and Microsoft rushing to stake their
claim. Augmented reality (AR) is however marching ahead due to the
spread of the ideal AR device – the smartphone. Despite its potential,
there remains a deep digital divide between the Developed and
Developing Countries. The Technological Acceptance Model (TAM)
and Hofstede cultural dimensions also predict the behaviour intention
to uptake AR in India will be large. This paper takes a quantified
approach by collecting 340 survey responses to AR scenarios and
analyzing them through statistics. The Survey responses show that
the Intention to Use, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Enjoyment
dimensions are high among the urban population in India. This along
with the exponential smartphone indicates that India is on the cusp of
a boom in the AR sector.
Abstract: Goat production is one of the activities included in
integrated farming in the Philippines. Goats are raised for its meat
and regardless of breed the animal is slaughtered for this purpose. In
order to document the carcass yield of different goats slaughtered,
five (5) different breeds of goats to include Purebred Boer and
Anglo-nubian, Crossbred Boer and Anglo-nubian and Philippine
Native goat were used in the study. Data on slaughter parameters,
carcass characteristics, and sensory evaluation were gathered and
analyzed using Complete Random Design (CRD) at 5% level of
significance and the results of carcass conformation were assessed
descriptively. Results showed that slaughter data such as
slaughter/live weight, hot and chilled carcass weights, dressing
percentage and percentage drip loss were significantly different
(P>0.05) among breeds. On carcass and meat characteristics, pure
breed and upgraded Boer were found to be moderately muscular
while Native goat was rated as thin muscular. The color of the
carcass also revealed that Purebred and crossbred Boer were
described dark red, while Native goat was noted to be slightly pale.
On sensory evaluation, the results indicated that there was no
significant difference (P>0.05) among breeds evaluated. It is
therefore concluded that purebred goat has heavier carcass, while
both purebred Boer and upgrade are rated slightly muscular. It is
further confirms that regardless of breed, goat will have the same
sensory characteristics. Thus, it is recommended to slaughter heavier
goats to obtain more carcasses with better conformation and quality.
Abstract: Water is essential for life and fresh water is a finite
resource that is becoming scarce day by day even though it is
recycled by hydrological cycle. The fresh water reserves are being
polluted due to expanding irrigation, industries, urban population and
its development. Contaminated water leads to several health
problems. With the increasing demand of fresh water, solar
distillation is an alternate solution which uses solar energy to
evaporate water and then to condense it, thereby collecting distilled
water within or outside the same system to use it as potable water.
The structure that houses the process is known as a 'solar still'. In this
paper, ‘Modified double slope solar still (MDSSS)’ & 'Modified
double slope basin type multiwick solar still (MDSBMSS)' have been
designed to convert saline, brackish water into drinking water. In this
work two different modified solar stills are fabricated to study the
performance of these solar stills. For modification of solar stills,
Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) and Acrylic sheets are used. The
experiments in MDSBMSS and MDSSS was carried on 10
September 2015 & 5 November 2015 respectively. Performances of
the stills were investigated. The amount of distillate has been found
3624 Ml/day in MDSBMSS on 10 September 2015 and 2400 Ml/day
in MDSSS on 5 November 2015.
Abstract: Approximately 10,000 different types of dyes and
pigments are being used in various industrial applications yearly,
which include the textile and printing industries. However, these dyes
are difficult to degrade naturally once they enter the aquatic system.
Their high persistency in natural environment poses a potential health
hazard to all form of life. Hence, there is a need for alternative dye
removal strategy in the environment via bioremediation. In this study,
fungi laccase is investigated via commercial agar dyes plates and
submerged fermentation to explore the application of fungi laccase in
textile dye wastewater treatment. Two locally isolated basidiomycetes
were screened for laccase activity using media added with commercial
dyes such as 2, 2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid
(ABTS), guaiacol and Remazol Brillant Blue R (RBBR). Isolate TBB3
(1.70±0.06) and EL2 (1.78±0.08) gave the highest results for ABTS
plates with the appearance of greenish halo on around the isolates.
Submerged fermentation performed on Isolate TBB3 with the
productivity 3.9067 U/ml/day, whereas the laccase activity for Isolate
EL2 was much lower (0.2097 U/ml/day). As isolate TBB3 showed
higher laccase production, it was subjected to molecular
characterization by DNA isolation, PCR amplification and sequencing
of ITS region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. After being compared with
other sequences in National Center for Biotechnology Information
(NCBI database), isolate TBB3 is probably from species Trametes
hirsutei. Further research work can be performed on this isolate by
upscale the production of laccase in order to meet the demands of the
requirement for higher enzyme titer for the bioremediation of textile
dyes.
Abstract: This study investigated the differences in the objective parameters of sound depending on the changes in the lengths of the lateral surfaces of a space and on the replacement of the sound absorbers that are placed on these surfaces. To this end, three models of room were chosen. The widths and heights of these rooms were the same but the lengths of the rooms were changed. The smallest room was 8 m. wide and 10 m. long. The lengths of the other two rooms were 15 m. and 20 m. For each model, the differences in the objective parameters of sound were determined by keeping all the material in the space intact and by changing only the positions of the sound absorbers that were placed on the walls. The sound absorbers that were used on the walls were of two different sizes. The sound absorbers that were placed on the walls were 4 m and 8 m. long and story-height (3 m.). In all model room types, the sound absorbers were placed on the long walls in three different ways: at the end of the long walls where the long walls meet the front wall; at the end of the long walls where the long walls meet the back wall; and in the middle part of the long walls. Except for the specially placed sound absorbers, the ground, wall and ceiling surfaces were covered with three different materials. There were no constructional elements such as doors and windows on the walls. On the surfaces, the materials specified in the Odeon 10 material library were used as coating material. Linoleum was used as flooring material, painted plaster as wall coating material and gypsum boards as ceiling covering (2 layers with a total of 32 mm. thickness). These were preferred due to the fact that they are the commonly used materials for these purposes. This study investigated the differences in the objective parameters of sound depending on the changes in the lengths of the lateral surfaces of a space and on the replacement of the sound absorbers that are placed on these surfaces. To this end, three models of room were chosen. The widths and heights of these rooms were the same but the lengths of the rooms were changed. The smallest room was 8 m. wide and 10 m. long. The lengths of the other two rooms were 15 m. and 20 m. For each model, the differences in the objective parameters of sound were determined by keeping all the material in the space intact and by changing only the positions of the sound absorbers that were placed on the walls. The sound absorbers that were used on the walls were of two different sizes. The sound absorbers that were placed on the walls were 4 m and 8 m. long and story-height (3 m.). In all model room types, the sound absorbers were placed on the long walls in three different ways: at the end of the long walls where the long walls meet the front wall; at the end of the long walls where the long walls meet the back wall; and in the middle part of the long walls. Except for the specially placed sound absorbers, the ground, wall and ceiling surfaces were covered with three different materials. There were no constructional elements such as doors and windows on the walls. On the surfaces, the materials specified in the Odeon 10 material library were used as coating material. Linoleum was used as flooring material, painted plaster as wall coating material and gypsum boards as ceiling covering (2 layers with a total of 32 mm. thickness). These were preferred due to the fact that they are the commonly used materials for these purposes.
Abstract: The Institutional Sustainability Performance (ISP) of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines reveals the level of compliance and fidelity of the latter to the mandates of the state. This performance evaluation procedure aims to perpetually monitor and sustain the quality of services provided by the state institutions in the country. Importantly, the SUC level rating is one of the key indicators of the merit system adopted by the state to give incentives to government institutions. With the crucial role of the ISP and SUC level in the performance of an institution and in sustaining quality assurance, this study theorized that the top managers’ capacity to influence is the critical factor in meeting the expectations of the state. This study assessed the top managers’ capacity to influence. The hypothesis in this study proved that leadership style of top managers has significant relationship to the managers’ capacity to influence for institutional sustainability performance. Thus, the subjects of this study were restricted only to the State Universities and Colleges (SUC) that qualified in the top 20 Institutional Sustainability Performance; the digital governance performance, and the SUC leveling status nationwide. The top managers and their subordinates with doctorate of Bulacan State University and Bataan Peninsula State University whose programs have been consistently submitted to accreditation and were ranked Levels III and IV were subjected and participated to the study. This study assessed the top managers’ capacity to influence. The hypothesis in this study proved that leadership style of top managers has significant relationship to the managers’ capacity to influence for institutional sustainability performance. Thus, the subjects of this study were restricted only to the State Universities and Colleges (SUC) that qualified in the top 20 Institutional Sustainability Performance; the digital governance performance, and the SUC leveling status nationwide. The top managers and their subordinates with doctorate of Bulacan State University and Bataan Peninsula State University whose programs have been consistently submitted to accreditation and were ranked Levels III and IV were subjected and participated to the study.
Abstract: Introduction: This work is aimed to represent the use of the OPTI-JET CS MD1 MR prototype for application of neutral electrolyzed oxidizing water (NEOW) in magnetic resonance rooms. Material and Methods: We produced and used OPTI-JET CS MD1 MR aerosolisator whereby was performed aerosolization. The presence of microorganisms before and after the aerosolisation was recorded with the help of cyclone air sampling. Colony formed units (CFU) was counted. Results: The number of microorganisms in magnetic resonance 3T room was low as expected. Nevertheless, a possible CFU reduction of 87% was recorded. Conclusions: The research has shown that the use of EOW for the air and hard surface disinfection can considerably reduce the presence of microorganisms and consequently the possibility of hospital infections. It has also demonstrated that the use of OPTI-JET CS MD1 MR is very good. With this research, we started new guidelines for aerosolization in magnetic resonance rooms. Future work: We predict that presented technique works very good but we must focus also on time capacity sensors, and new appropriate toxicological studies.
Abstract: Recently, the world main problem is a global warming and climate change affecting both outdoor and indoor environments, especially the air quality (AQ) as a result of vast migration of people from rural areas to urban areas. Therefore, cities became more crowded and denser from an irregular population increase, along with increasing urbanization caused many problems for the environment such as increasing the land prices, changes in life style, and the new buildings are not adapted to the climate producing uncomfortable and unhealthy indoor building conditions. As interior environments are the places that create the most intimate relationship with the user. Consequently, the indoor environment quality (IEQ) for buildings became uncomfortable and unhealthy for its occupants. The symptoms commonly associated with poor indoor environment such as itchy, headache, fatigue, and respiratory complaints such as cough and congestion, etc. The symptoms tend to improve over time or even disappear when people are away from the building. Therefore, designing a healthy indoor environment to fulfill human needs is the main concern for architects and interior designer. However, this research explores how occupant expectations and environmental attitudes may influence occupant health and satisfaction within the context of the indoor environment. In doing so, it reviews and contributes to the methods and tools used to evaluate only the indoor environment quality (IEQ) components of building performance. Its main aim is to review the literature on indoor human comfort. This is followed by a review of previous papers published related to human comfort. Finally, this paper will provide possible approaches in design level of healthy buildings.
Abstract: In subjective terms, Polish SME sector occupies a
prominent position in the national economic development, in which
planning of the management strategies should be primarily based on
identifying and meeting the innovation needs. As a research sample, there is chosen a printing sector of industry.
SMEs share in printing sector in Poland is estimated at the level of
81% of all enterprises. In recent years, the printing industry achieved
one of the highest levels of EU support in Poland. There is a
relatively high increase in the development of technological
innovations in equipment and the associated significant increase in
production capacity. It can be also noticed that on average, every
third enterprise belonging to the printing industry has implemented
innovations, but not all of them effected in better economic results.
Therefore, the aim of this article is to evaluate the impact of the
implementation of innovation projects financed from the EU funds
for performance of SMEs in the printing industry. As the results of research of EU funds co-financing effects on the
development of innovation in the printing industry, it was specified
that examined SMEs prefer to implement product innovation to
receive a grant to the project at a level between 40% to 60%, the
remaining part of the investment is usually covered with equity. The most common type of innovation had indicated a single
implementation, related only to the change in process, technology, or
organization. The relationship between variables of the EU funds and
management of innovative activities was verified. It has been
observed that the identified variables arising from the support in a
form of the EU funds had a positive effect on the level of earned
revenue, the increase in margin and in increase in employment as
well. It was confirmed that the implemented innovations supported
by the European funds have a positive impact on the performance of
the printing companies. Although there is a risk that due to the
decreasing demand for printing services such a high level of funding
the companies in this sector will significantly increase competition in
the long term, that may also contribute to the economic problems of
the enterprises belonging to the analyzed branch.
Abstract: Critical success factors (CSFs) and the criteria to measure project success have received much attention over the decades and are among the most widely researched topics in the context of project management. However, although there have been extensive studies on the subject by different researchers, to date, there has been little agreement on the CSFs. The aim of this study is to identify the CSFs that influence the performance of construction projects, and determine their relative importance for different objectives across five stages in the project life cycle. A considerable literature review was conducted that resulted in the identification of 179 individual factors. These factors were then grouped into nine major categories. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from three groups of respondents: client representatives, consultants, and contractors. Out of 164 questionnaires distributed, 93 were returned, yielding a response rate of 56.7%. Using the mean score, relative importance index, and weighted average method, the top 10 critical factors for each category were identified. The agreement of survey respondents on those categorised factors were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation. A one-way analysis of variance was then performed to determine whether the mean scores among the various groups of respondents were statistically significant. The findings indicate the most CSFs in each category in procurement phase are: proper procurement programming of materials (time), stability in the price of materials (cost), and determining quality in the construction (quality). They are then followed by safety equipment acquisition and maintenance (health and safety), budgeting allowed in a contractual arrangement for implementing environmental management activities (environment), completeness of drawing documents (productivity), accurate measurement and pricing of bill of quantities (risk management), adequate communication among the project team (human resource), and adequate cost control measures (client satisfaction). An understanding of CSFs would help all interested parties in the construction industry to improve project performance. Furthermore, the results of this study would help construction professionals and practitioners take proactive measures for effective project management.
Abstract: Comparative analysis of robotic vehicles for pipe inspection is presented in this paper. The promising concept of self-propelled intelligent robotic vehicle (SPIRV) based on octahedral dodekapod for inspection and operation in active branched pipelines with variable cross-sections is reasoned. SPIRV is able to move in pipeline, regardless of its spatial orientation. SPIRV can also be used to move along the outside of the pipelines as well as in space between surfaces of annular tubes. Every one of faces of the octahedral dodekapod can clamp/unclamp a thing with a closed loop surface of various forms as well as put pressure on environmental surface of contact. These properties open new possibilities for its applications in SPIRV. We examine design principles of octahedral dodekapod as future intelligent building blocks for various robotic vehicles that can self-move and self-reconfigure.
Abstract: Pipelines are extensively used engineering structures
which convey fluid from one place to another. Most of the time,
pipelines are placed underground and are encumbered by soil weight
and traffic loads. Corrosion of pipe material is the most common
form of pipeline deterioration and should be considered in both the
strength and serviceability analysis of pipes.
The study in this research focuses on concrete pipes in sewage
systems (concrete sewers). This research firstly investigates how to
involve the effect of corrosion as a time dependent process of
deterioration in the structural and failure analysis of this type of pipe.
Then three probabilistic time dependent reliability analysis methods
including the first passage probability theory, the gamma distributed
degradation model and the Monte Carlo simulation technique are
discussed and developed. Sensitivity analysis indexes which can be
used to identify the most important parameters that affect pipe failure
are also discussed.
The reliability analysis methods developed in this paper contribute
as rational tools for decision makers with regard to the strengthening
and rehabilitation of existing pipelines. The results can be used to
obtain a cost-effective strategy for the management of the sewer
system.
Abstract: Knowledge transfer between personnel could benefit an organization’s improved competitive advantage in the marketplace from a strategic approach to knowledge management. The lack of information sharing between personnel could create knowledge transfer gaps while restricting the decision-making processes. Knowledge transfer between personnel can potentially improve information sharing based on an implemented knowledge management strategy. An organization’s capacity to gain more knowledge is aligned with the organization’s prior or existing captured knowledge. This case study attempted to understand the overall influence of a KMS within the corporate environment and knowledge exchange between personnel. The significance of this study was to help understand how organizations can improve the Return on Investment (ROI) of a knowledge management strategy within a knowledge-centric organization. A qualitative descriptive case study was the research design selected for this study. The lack of information sharing between personnel may create knowledge transfer gaps while restricting the decision-making processes. Developing a knowledge management strategy acceptable at all levels of the organization requires cooperation in support of a common organizational goal. Working with management and executive members to develop a protocol where knowledge transfer becomes a standard practice in multiple tiers of the organization. The knowledge transfer process could be measurable when focusing on specific elements of the organizational process, including personnel transition to help reduce time required understanding the job. The organization studied in this research acknowledged the need for improved knowledge management activities within the organization to help organize, retain, and distribute information throughout the workforce. Data produced from the study indicate three main themes including information management, organizational culture, and knowledge sharing within the workforce by the participants. These themes indicate a possible connection between an organizations KMS, the organizations culture, knowledge sharing, and knowledge transfer.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of solution-focused group therapy on improving the depressed mothers of child abuser families. This study was carried out in the form of a semi-pilot, pre-test and post-test on two groups (experimental and control). Subjects include all mothers and their children that are the members of Shush and Naser Khosro child home. Beck Depression Inventory and Child Trauma Questionnaire were used to collect data. First, child abuse questionnaire was completed by children, Then Beck Depression Inventory was completed by their mothers that 22 of them were recognized as depressed and randomly divided in two groups of experimental and control. After applying pre-test for both of these groups, the intervention of solution- focused group therapy was performed in five sessions on experimental group. Finally, post-test was applied on both groups and subsequently in a month, follow-up test was performed. T-test, multivariate variance, and repeated measurement analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. According to the findings, it can be concluded that this therapy leads to the improvement of depressed mother's mood. As a result, the intervention of solution-focused group therapy is useful in order to improve the depressing mood of mothers of child abuser families.