Abstract: This qualitative, quantitative mixed-method study explores how students- motivation and interest in creative hands-on activities affected their conceptual understanding of science. The objectives of this research include developing a greater understanding about how creative activities, incorporated into the classroom as instructional strategies, increase student motivation and their learning or mastery of science concepts. The creative activities are viewed as a motivational tool, a specific type of task, which have an impact on student goals. Pre-and-post tests, pre-and-post interviews, and student responses measure motivational-goal theory variables, interest in the activity, and conceptual change. Implications for education and future research will be discussed.
Abstract: This paper presents a cold flow simulation study of a small gas turbine combustor performed using laboratory scale test rig. The main objective of this investigation is to obtain physical insight of the main vortex, responsible for the efficient mixing of fuel and air. Such models are necessary for predictions and optimization of real gas turbine combustors. Air swirler can control the combustor performance by assisting in the fuel-air mixing process and by producing recirculation region which can act as flame holders and influences residence time. Thus, proper selection of a swirler is needed to enhance combustor performance and to reduce NOx emissions. Three different axial air swirlers were used based on their vane angles i.e., 30°, 45°, and 60°. Three-dimensional, viscous, turbulent, isothermal flow characteristics of the combustor model operating at room temperature were simulated via Reynolds- Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) code. The model geometry has been created using solid model, and the meshing has been done using GAMBIT preprocessing package. Finally, the solution and analysis were carried out in a FLUENT solver. This serves to demonstrate the capability of the code for design and analysis of real combustor. The effects of swirlers and mass flow rate were examined. Details of the complex flow structure such as vortices and recirculation zones were obtained by the simulation model. The computational model predicts a major recirculation zone in the central region immediately downstream of the fuel nozzle and a second recirculation zone in the upstream corner of the combustion chamber. It is also shown that swirler angles changes have significant effects on the combustor flowfield as well as pressure losses.
Abstract: Problem-based learning (PBL) is one of the student
centered approaches and has been considered by a number of higher
educational institutions in many parts of the world as a method of
delivery. This paper presents a creative thinking approach for
implementing Problem-based Learning in Mechanics of Structure
within a Malaysian Polytechnics environment. In the learning
process, students learn how to analyze the problem given among the
students and sharing classroom knowledge into practice. Further,
through this course-s emphasis on problem-based learning, students
acquire creative thinking skills and professional skills as they tackle
complex, interdisciplinary and real-situation problems. Once the
creative ideas are generated, there are useful additional techniques
for tender ideas that will grow into a productive concept or solution.
The combination of creative skills and technical abilities will enable
the students to be ready to “hit-the-ground-running" and produce in
industry when they graduate.
Abstract: As is needless to say; a majority of accidents, which occur, are due to drunk driving. As such, there is no effective mechanism to prevent this. Here we have designed an integrated system for the same purpose. Alcohol content in the driver-s body is detected by means of an infrared breath analyzer placed at the steering wheel. An infrared cell directs infrared energy through the sample and any unabsorbed energy at the other side is detected. The higher the concentration of ethanol, the more infrared absorption occurs (in much the same way that a sunglass lens absorbs visible light, alcohol absorbs infrared light). Thus the alcohol level of the driver is continuously monitored and calibrated on a scale. When it exceeds a particular limit the fuel supply is cutoff. If the device is removed also, the fuel supply will be automatically cut off or an alarm is sounded depending upon the requirement. This does not happen abruptly and special indicators are fixed at the back to avoid inconvenience to other drivers using the highway signals. Frame work for integration of sensors and control module in a scalable multi-agent system is provided .A SMS which contains the current GPS location of the vehicle is sent via a GSM module to the police control room to alert the police. The system is foolproof and the driver cannot tamper with it easily. Thus it provides an effective and cost effective solution for the problem of drunk driving in vehicles.
Abstract: The concepts of knowledge creation and innovation
have a strong relationship but this relationship has not been examined
systematically. This study examines the utilization of knowledge
creation processes of the Theory of Knowledge Creation in Higher
Education Institutions. These processes consist of socialization,
externalization, combination and internalization. This study suggests
that the utilization of these processes will give impacts on innovation
in academic performance. A cross-sectional study was conducted
using survey questionnaires to collect data of the utilization of
knowledge creation processes and classroom-s innovation. The
samples are Business Management students of a Malaysian Higher
Education Institution. The results of this study could help Higher
Education Institutions to enrich the learning process of students
through knowledge creation and innovation.
Abstract: This research was aimed to develop and determine the
quality of online learning activities kit as well as to examine the
learning achievement of students and their satisfaction towards the kit
through authentic assessment. The tools in this research contained
online learning activities kit on plant in Thai literature in compliance
with the School Botanical Garden of Plant Genetic Conservation
Project under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the assessment form, the learning
achievement test, the satisfaction form and the authentic assessment
form. The population consisted of 40 students in the second range of
primary years (Prathomsuksa 4 to 6) at Ban Khao Rak School,
Suratthani Province, Thailand. The research results showed that the
content quality of the developed online learning activities kit as
assessed by the experts was 4.70 on average or at very high level.
The pre-test and post-test comparison was made to examine the
learning achievement and it revealed that the post-test score was
higher than the pre-test score with statistical significance at the .01
level. The satisfaction of the sampling group towards the online
learning activities kit was 4.74 or at the highest level. The authentic
assessment showed an average of 1.69 or at good level. Therefore,
the online learning activities kit on plant in Thai literature in
compliance with the School Botanical Garden of Plant Genetic
Conservation Project under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal
Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn could be used in real
classroom situations.
Abstract: Exposure to ambient air pollution has been linked to a
number of health outcomes, starting from modest transient changes in
the respiratory tract and impaired pulmonary function, continuing to
restrict activity/reduce performance and to the increase emergency
rooms visits, hospital admissions or mortality. The increase of
allergenic symptoms has been associated with air contaminants such
as ozone, particulate matter, fungal spores and pollen.
Considering the potential relevance of crossed effects of nonbiological
pollutants and airborne pollens and fungal spores on
allergy worsening, the aim of this work was to evaluate the influence
of non-biological pollutants (O3 and PM10) and meteorological
parameters on the concentrations of pollen and fungal spores using
multiple linear regressions.
The data considered in this study were collected in Oporto which
is the second largest Portuguese city, located in the North. Daily
mean of O3, PM10, pollen and fungal spore concentrations,
temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, wind velocity, pollen
and fungal spore concentrations, for 2003, 2004 and 2005 were
considered. Results showed that the 90th percentile of the adjusted
coefficient of determination, P90 (R2aj), of the multiple regressions
varied from 0.613 to 0.916 for pollen and from 0.275 to 0.512 for
fungal spores. O3 and PM10 showed to have some influence on the
biological pollutants. Among the meteorological parameters
analysed, temperature was the one that most influenced the pollen
and fungal spores airborne concentrations. Relative humidity also
showed to have some influence on the fungal spore dispersion.
Nevertheless, the models for each pollen and fungal spore were
different depending on the analysed period, which means that the
correlations identified as statistically significant can not be, even so,
consistent enough.
Abstract: Using Internet communication, new home electronics
have functions of monitoring and control from remote. However in
many case these electronics work as standalone, and old electronics
are not followed. Then, we developed the total remote system include
not only new electronics but olds. This systems node is a adapter of
electrical power plug that embed relay switch and some sensors, and
these nodes communicate with each other. the system server was build
on the Internet, and users access to this system from web browsers.
To reduce the cost to set up of this system, communication between
adapters are used ZigBee wireless network instead of wired LAN
cable[3]. From measured RSSI(received signal strength indicator)
information between each nodes, the system can estimate roughly
adapters were mounted on which room, and where in the room. So
also it reduces the cost of mapping nodes. Using this system, energy
saving and house monitoring are expected.
Abstract: This work presents a new approach of securing a
wireless network. The configuration is focused on securing &
Protecting wireless network traffic for a small network such as a
home or dorm room. The security Mechanism provided both
authentication, allowing only known authorized users access to the
wireless network, and encryption, preventing anyone from reading
the wireless traffic. The mentioned solution utilizes the open source
free S/WAN software which implements the Internet Protocol
Security –IPSEC. In addition to wireless components, wireless NIC
in PC and wireless access point needs a machine running Linux to act
as security gateway. While the current configuration assumes that the
wireless PC clients are running Linux, Windows XP/VISTA/7 based
machines equipped with VPN software which will allow to interface
with this configuration.
Abstract: Use of a sliding joint is an effective method to
decrease the stress in foundation structure where there is a horizontal
deformation of subsoil (areas afflicted with underground mining) or
horizontal deformation of a foundation structure (pre-stressed
foundations, creep, shrinkage, temperature deformation). A
convenient material for a sliding joint is a bitumen asphalt belt.
Experiments for different types of bitumen belts were undertaken at
the Faculty of Civil Engineering - VSB Technical University of
Ostrava in 2008. This year an extension of the 2008 experiments is in
progress and the shear resistance of a slide joint is being tested as a
function of temperature in a temperature controlled room. In this
paper experimental results of temperature dependant shear resistance
are presented. The result of the experiments should be the sliding
joint shear resistance as a function of deformation velocity and
temperature. This relationship is used for numerical analysis of
stress/strain relation between foundation structure and subsoil. Using
a rheological slide joint could lead to a decrease of the reinforcement
amount, and contribute to higher reliability of foundation structure
and thus enable design of more durable and sustainable building
structures.
Abstract: This research explores visitor-s expectations of service
quality in intelligent living space showroom – Living 3.0 in Taiwan.
Based on the five dimensions of PZB service quality, a specialist
questionnaire is utilized to establish a complete service quality
evaluation framework for Living 3.0. In this research, analysis
hierarchy process (AHP) is applied to find the relative weights among
the criteria. Finally, the service quality evaluation framework and
evaluation results can be used as a guide for Living 3.0 proprietors to
review, improve, and enhance service planning and service qualities in
the future.
Abstract: Nowadays, the importance of energy saving is clearance to everyone. By attention to increasing price of fuels and also the problems of environment pollutions, there are the most efforts for using fuels littler and more optimum in everywhere. This essay studies optimizing of gas consumption in gas-burner space heaters. In oven of each gas-burner space heaters there is two snags to prevent the hot air (the result of combustion of natural gas) to go out of oven of the gas-burner space heaters directly without delivering its heat to the space of favorite environment like a room. These snags cause a excess circulating that helps hot air deliver its heat to the space of favorite environment. It means the exhaust air temperature will be decreased then when there are no snags. This is the aim of this essay to use maximum potential energy of the natural gas to make heat. In this study, by the help of a finite volume software (FLUENT) consumption of the gas-burner space heaters is simulated and optimized. At the end of this writing, by comparing the results of software and experimental results, it will be proved the authenticity of this method.
Abstract: Starch/chitosan blend have been prepared via the
solution casting technique. Ionic conductivity for the system was
conducted over a wide range of frequency between 50 Hz-1 MHz and
at temperatures between 303 K and 373 K. Sample with 35 wt% of
NH4NO3 shows the highest conductivity of 3.89 ± 0.79 x 10-5 Scm-1
at room temperature. Conductivity-temperature relationship suggests
that samples are Arrhenian. Power law exponent was obtained
through dielectric loss variation and the trend suggests that the
conduction mechanism of the ions can be represented by the
correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model.
Abstract: The nutrient composition and sensory properties of
poultry-based patties (PBPs) incorporated with various levels of grey
oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju, PSC) were studied. The
PBPs were formulated with either 0%, 25% or 50% of fresh ground
PSC. Results show poultry patty formulated with 25% PSC had
protein content of 17.46% lower than the control patty which had
18.13% but it was not significant. Meanwhile, both cooked poultry
patties containing 25% and 50% PSC significantly recorded lower
concentration of fat at 10.67% and 7.15%, respectively. On the other
hand, poultry patty added with 50% ground PSC shows the highest
concentration of total dietary fibre (TDF) of 4.90 g/100g compared to
poultry patty containing 25% of mushroom (3.40 g/100g) and to the
control (1.90g/100g). In addition, patty incorporated with 25% PSC
had moisture content of 57.91% which is significantly lower than
patty formulated with 50% which had moisture of 61.80%. In the
sensory evaluation, there were no differences recorded in all sensory
attributes of PSC-based patties judged by untrained panelists. In
conclusion, the addition of PSC to replace poultry meat can be
recommended for the purpose of lowering production cost, enhancing
nutritional composition and maintaining the acceptability of poultry
patties.
Abstract: The tensile properties of Mg-3%Al nanocrystalline
alloys were investigated at different test environment. Bulk
nanocrystalline samples of these alloy was successfully prepared by
mechanical alloying (MA) followed by cold compaction, sintering,
and hot extrusion process. The crystal size of the consolidated milled
sample was calculated by X-Ray line profile analysis. The
deformation mechanism and microstructural characteristic at
different test condition was discussed extensively. At room
temperature, relatively lower value of activation volume (AV) and
higher value of strain rate sensitivity (SRS) suggests that new rate
controlling mechanism accommodating plastic flow in the present
nanocrystalline sample. The deformation behavior and the
microstructural character of the present samples were discussed in
details.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the most
important parameters determining the quality of the motion structure
of the basic classical dance jump – grand jeté.Research sample
consisted of 8 students of the Dance Conservatory in Brno. Using the
system Simi motion we performed a 3D kinematic analysis of the
jump. On the basis of the comparison of structure quality and
measured data of the grand jeté, we defined the optimal values of the
relevant parameters determining the quality of the performance. The
take-off speed should achieve about 2.4 m·s-1, the optimum take-off
angle is 28 - 30º. The take-off leg should swing backward at the
beginning of the flight phase with the minimum speed of 3.3 m·s-1.If
motor abilities of dancers achieve the level necessary for optimal
performance of a classical dance jump, there is room for certain
variability of the structure of the dance jump.
Abstract: The paper describes ergonomics problems trend of
student at B5101 classroom building 2, Suranaree University of
Technology. The objective to survey ergonomics problems and effect
from use chairs for sitting in class room. The result from survey
method 100 student they use lecture chair for sitting in classroom
more than 2 hours/ day by RULA[1]. and Body discomfort survey[2].
The result from Body discomfort survey contribute fatigue problems
at neck, lower back, upper back and right shoulder 2.93, 2.91, 2.33,
1.75 respectively and result from RULA contribute fatigue problems
at neck, body and right upper arm 4.00, 3.75 and 3.00 respectively
are consistent. After that the researcher provide improvement plan
for design new chair support student fatigue reduction by prepare
data of sample anthropometry and design ergonomics chair prototype
3 unit. Then sample 100 student trial to use new chair and evaluate
again by RULA, Body discomfort and satisfaction. The result from
trial new chair after improvement by RULA present fatigue reduction
average of head and neck from 4.00 to 2.25 , body and trunk from
3.75 to 2.00 and arm force from 1.00 to 0.25 respectively. The result
from trial new chair after improvement by Body discomfort present
fatigue reduction average of lower back from 2.91 to 0.87, neck from
2.93 to 1.24, upper back 2.33 to 0.84 and right upper arm from 1.75
to 0.74. That statistical of RULA and Body discomfort survey
present fatigue reduction after improvement significance with a
confidence level of 95% (p-value 0.05). When analyzing the
relationship of fatigue as part of the body by Chi – square test during
RULA and Body discomfort that before and after improvements were
consistent with the significant level of confidence 95% (p-value 0.05)
. Moreover the students satisfaction result from trial with a new chair
for 30 minutes [3]. 72 percent very satisfied of the folding of the
secondary writing simple 66% the width of the writing plate, 64% the
suitability of the writing plate, 62% of soft seat cushion and 61%
easy to seat the chair.
Abstract: WikID is a wiki for industrial design engineers. An
important aspect for the viability of a wiki is the loyalty of the user
community to share their information and knowledge by adding this
knowledge to the wiki. For the initiators of a wiki it is therefore
important to use every aspect to stimulate the user community to
actively participate. In this study the focus is on the styling of the
website. The central question is: How could the WikID website be
visually designed to achieve a user experience which will incite the
user to actively participate in the WikID community? After a
literature study on the influencing factors of a website, a new
interface has been designed by applying the rules found, in order to
expand this website-s active user community. An online
questionnaire regarding the old or the new website gave insights in
the opinions of users. As expected, the new website was rated more
positively than the old website. However, the differences are limited.
Abstract: The indoor airflow with a mixed natural/forced convection
was numerically calculated using the laminar and turbulent
approach. The Boussinesq approximation was considered for a simplification
of the mathematical model and calculations. The results
obtained, such as mean velocity fields, were successfully compared
with experimental PIV flow visualizations. The effect of the distance
between the cooled wall and the heat exchanger on the temperature
and velocity distributions was calculated. In a room with a simple
shape, the computational code OpenFOAM demonstrated an ability to
numerically predict flow patterns. Furthermore, numerical techniques,
boundary type conditions and the computational grid quality were
examined. Calculations using the turbulence model k-omega had a
significant effect on the results influencing temperature and velocity
distributions.
Abstract: After the Terengganu state government decided to give a boost in teaching and learning through the allocation of free ebooks to all Primary five and six students; it was time to examine the presence of e-books in the classrooms. A survey was conducted on 101 students to determine how they felt about using the e-book and their experiences. It was discovered that a majority of these students liked using the e-book. However, although they had little problems using the e-book and the e-book helped to lighten the schoolbags, these new-age textbooks were not fully utilized. It is implied that perhaps the school administrators, teachers and students may not be able to overcome the unfamiliar characteristics of the e-book and its limitations.