Abstract: This paper presents the experimental investigation on
the bond behavior of geo polymer concrete. The bond behavior of
geo polymer concrete cubes of grade M35 reinforced with 16 mm
TMT rod is analyzed. The results indicate that the bond performance
of reinforced geo polymer concrete is good and thus proves its
application for construction.
Abstract: Human beings have the ability to make logical
decisions. Although human decision - making is often optimal, it is
insufficient when huge amount of data is to be classified. Medical
dataset is a vital ingredient used in predicting patient’s health
condition. In other to have the best prediction, there calls for most
suitable machine learning algorithms. This work compared the
performance of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Decision Tree
Algorithms (DTA) as regards to some performance metrics using
diabetes data. WEKA software was used for the implementation of
the algorithms. Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and Radial Basis
Function (RBF) were the two algorithms used for ANN, while
RegTree and LADTree algorithms were the DTA models used. From
the results obtained, DTA performed better than ANN. The Root
Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of MLP is 0.3913 that of RBF is
0.3625, that of RepTree is 0.3174 and that of LADTree is 0.3206
respectively.
Abstract: A bauxite ore can be utilized in Bayer Process, if the
mass ratio of Al2O3 to SiO2 is greater than 10. Otherwise, its FexOy
and SiO2 content should be removed. On the other hand, removal of
TiO2 from the bauxite ore would be beneficial because of both
lowering the red mud residue and obtaining a valuable raw material
containing TiO2 mineral. In this study, the low grade diasporic
bauxite ore of Yalvaç, Isparta, Turkey was roasted under reducing
atmosphere and subjected to magnetic separation. According to the
experimental results, 800°C for reduction temperature and 20000
Gauss of magnetic intensity were found to be the optimum
parameters for removal of iron oxide and rutile from the nonmagnetic
ore. On the other hand, 600°C and 5000 Gauss were
determined to be the optimum parameters for removal of silica from
the non-magnetic ore.
Abstract: Nanotechnology has become the world attention in
various applications including the solar cells devices due to the
uniqueness and benefits of achieving low cost and better
performances of devices. Recently, thin film solar cells such as
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Copper-Indium-Gallium-diSelenide
(CIGS), Copper-Zinc-Tin-Sulphide (CZTS), and Dye-Sensitized
Solar Cells (DSSC) enhanced by nanotechnology have attracted
much attention. Thus, a compilation of nanotechnology devices
giving the progress in the solar cells has been presented. It is much
related to nanoparticles or nanocrystallines, carbon nanotubes, and
nanowires or nanorods structures.
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine sex
differentiation of laboratory reared Elm nymphalid (Nymphalis
polychloros Linnaeus, 1758) by examining the morphological
structure of pupal stage. Laboratory colony of elm nymphalid, reared
on pear leaves, was used to set up experiments. It was performed
with 5 replications having 8 pupae for each replication. Dorsal,
ventral and lateral parts of external morphological structures of pupae
were examined by Olympus SZX9 stereozoom microscope and
photographed. When fully grown, mature larvae wander the highest
part of the rearing cage and pupae were formed hanging by
cremaster. After completing prepupa stage about 1.5±0.3 days, they
all pupated. Pupal stage was completed at 24±1°C about 4.38±1.20
days. Pupal weights were 0.483±0.05 g in females and 0.392±0.08 g
(n=40) in males respectively. Pupal emergence rate was 95%, with
22 females and 16 males. Examinations of ventral parts of 8th, 9th,
and 10th abdominal segments revealed that anal opening were found
at 10th abdominal segment in both sexes, 3 lumps were determined at
9th abdominal segments then the specific opening structure at 8th
segment was only found on female pupae.
Abstract: This paper is based on a large questionnaire study. The
paper presents how all participants and subgroups (upper- and
lower-level white-collar workers) answered the question, “Have you
had an ache, pain, or numbness, which you associate with desktop
computer use, in the different body parts during the last 12 months?’
14.6% of participants (19.4% of women and 8.2% of men) reported
that they had often or very often physical symptoms in the neck. Even
if our results cannot prove a causal relation of symptoms with
computer use, show that workers believe that computer use can
influence their wellbeing: this is important when devising treatment
modalities to decrease these physical symptoms.
Abstract: This study utilizes a frequency domain approach over
the period of 1996 to 2013 to examine the causal relationship between
governance and economic growth in ten Asian countries, which have
different levels of democracy; classified as “Free”, “Partly Free”, and
“Not Free” countries. The empirical results show that there is no
Granger causality running from governance to economic growth in
“Not Free” countries and “Partly Free” countries with the exception of
Singapore. As for “Free” countries such as South Korea and Taiwan,
there is a one-way causality running from governance to economic
growth. The findings of this study indicate that policy makers in South
Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore could use governance index to improve
their predictions of the future economic growth.
Abstract: The economic use and ease of construction of profiled
deck composite slab is marred with the complex and un-economic
strength verification required for the serviceability and general safety
considerations. Beside these, albeit factors such as shear span length,
deck geometries and mechanical frictions greatly influence the
longitudinal shear strength, that determines the ultimate strength of
profiled deck composite slab, and number of methods available for its
determination; partial shear and slope-intercept are the two methods
according to Euro-code 4 provision. However, the complexity
associated with shear behavior of profiled deck composite slab, the
use of these methods in determining the load carrying capacities of
such slab yields different and conflicting values. This couple with the
time and cost constraint associated with the strength verification is a
source of concern that draws more attentions nowadays, the issue is
critical. Treating some of these known shear strength influencing
factors as random variables, the load carrying capacity violation of
profiled deck composite slab from the use of the two-methods
defined according to Euro-code 4 are determined using reliability
approach, and comparatively studied. The study reveals safety values
from the use of m-k method shows good standing compared with that
from the partial shear method.
Abstract: The main parameters affecting the workability are the
water content, particle size, and the total surface of the grains, as long
as the mixing water begins by wetting the surface of the grains and
then fills the voids between the grains to form entrapped water, the
quantity of water remaining is called free water. The aim of this study is to undertake a fractal approach through
the relationship between the concrete formulation parameters and
workability. To develop this approach a series of concrete taken from
the literature was investigated by varying formulation parameters
such as G/S, the quantity of cement C and the quantity of water W. We also call another model as the model of water layer thickness
and model of paste layer thickness to judge their relevance, hence the
following results: the relevance of the water layer thickness model is
considered as a relevant when there is a variation in the water
quantity. The model of the paste layer thickness is only applicable if
we considered that the paste is made with the grain value Dmax =
2.85: value from which we see a stability of the model.
Abstract: The efficient and economic allocation of resources is
one main goal in the field of production planning and control.
Nowadays, a new variable gains in importance throughout the
planning process: Energy. Energy-efficiency has already been widely
discussed in literature, but with a strong focus on reducing the overall
amount of energy used in production. This paper provides a brief
systematic approach, how energy-supply-orientation can be used for
an energy-cost-efficient production planning and thus combining the
idea of energy-efficiency and energy-flexibility.
Abstract: Superabsorbent polymers received much attention and
are used in many fields because of their superior characters to
traditional absorbents, e.g., sponge and cotton. So, it is very
important but challenging to prepare highly and fast-swelling
superabsorbents. A reliable, efficient and low-cost technique for
removing heavy metal ions from wastewater is the adsorption using
bio-adsorbents obtained from biological materials, such as
polysaccharides-based hydrogels superabsorbents. In this study, novel multi-functional superabsorbent composites
type semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (Semi-IPNs) were
prepared via graft polymerization of acrylamide onto chitosan
backbone in presence of gelatin, CTS-g-PAAm/Ge, using potassium
persulfate and N,N’-methylene bisacrylamide as initiator and
crosslinker, respectively. These hydrogels were also partially
hydrolyzed to achieve superabsorbents with ampholytic properties
and uppermost swelling capacity. The formation of the grafted
network was evidenced by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
(ATR-FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The porous
structures were observed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).
From TGA analysis, it was concluded that the incorporation of the Ge
in the CTS-g-PAAm network has marginally affected its thermal
stability. The effect of gelatin content on the swelling capacities of
these superabsorbent composites was examined in various media
(distilled water, saline and pH-solutions). The water absorbency was
enhanced by adding Ge in the network, where the optimum value was
reached at 2 wt. % of Ge. Their hydrolysis has not only greatly
optimized their absorption capacity but also improved the swelling
kinetic.These materials have also showed reswelling ability. We
believe that these super-absorbing materials would be very effective
for the adsorption of harmful metal ions from wastewater.
Abstract: Artificial neural networks have gained a lot of interest
as empirical models for their powerful representational capacity,
multi input and output mapping characteristics. In fact, most feedforward
networks with nonlinear nodal functions have been proved to
be universal approximates. In this paper, we propose a new
supervised method for color image classification based on selforganizing
feature maps (SOFM). This algorithm is based on
competitive learning. The method partitions the input space using
self-organizing feature maps to introduce the concept of local
neighborhoods. Our image classification system entered into RGB
image. Experiments with simulated data showed that separability of
classes increased when increasing training time. In additional, the
result shows proposed algorithms are effective for color image
classification.
Abstract: This paper presents a state-of-the-art survey of the
operations research models developed for internal audit planning.
Two alternative approaches have been followed in the literature for
audit planning: (1) identifying the optimal audit frequency; and (2)
determining the optimal audit resource allocation. The first approach
identifies the elapsed time between two successive audits, which can
be presented as the optimal number of audits in a given planning
horizon, or the optimal number of transactions after which an audit
should be performed. It also includes the optimal audit schedule. The
second approach determines the optimal allocation of audit frequency
among all auditable units in the firm. In our review, we discuss both
the deterministic and probabilistic models developed for audit
planning. In addition, game theory models are reviewed to find the
optimal auditing strategy based on the interactions between the
auditors and the clients.
Abstract: Optic disk segmentation plays a key role in the mass
screening of individuals with diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma
ailments. An efficient hardware-based algorithm for optic disk
localization and segmentation would aid for developing an automated
retinal image analysis system for real time applications. Herein,
TMS320C6416DSK DSP board pixel intensity based fractal analysis
algorithm for an automatic localization and segmentation of the optic
disk is reported. The experiment has been performed on color and
fluorescent angiography retinal fundus images. Initially, the images
were pre-processed to reduce the noise and enhance the quality. The
retinal vascular tree of the image was then extracted using canny
edge detection technique. Finally, a pixel intensity based fractal
analysis is performed to segment the optic disk by tracing the origin
of the vascular tree. The proposed method is examined on three
publicly available data sets of the retinal image and also with the data
set obtained from an eye clinic. The average accuracy achieved is
96.2%. To the best of the knowledge, this is the first work reporting
the use of TMS320C6416DSK DSP board and pixel intensity based
fractal analysis algorithm for an automatic localization and
segmentation of the optic disk. This will pave the way for developing
devices for detection of retinal diseases in the future.
Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of
synchronous music in Gymnastics' motor skill performance among
undergraduate female students in physical education college at Basra
University. The researcher used experimental design. 20 female
students of physical education divided equally into two groups, (10)
experimental group with music, (10) control group without music.
All participants complete 6 weeks in testing. Data analysis based on
T-test shows significant difference at (α = 0.05) in all skills level
between experimental and control groups in favor of experimental
group. Results of this study contribute to developing the role of
synchronous music in improving gymnastic skills performance.
Abstract: Research Objectives: The roles and activities of
Human Resource Management (HRM) have changed a lot in the past
years. Driven by a changing environment and therefore new business
requirements, the scope of human resource (HR) activities has
widened. The extent to which these activities should focus on
strategic issues to support the long term success of a company has
been discussed in science for many years. As many economies of
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) experienced a phase of transition
after the socialist era and are now recovering from the 2008 global
crisis it is needed to examine the current state of HR positioning.
Furthermore a trend in HR work developing from rather
administrative units to being strategic partners of management can be
noticed. This leads to the question of better understanding the
underlying competencies which are necessary to support
organisations. This topic was addressed by the international study
“HR Competencies in international comparison”. The quantitative
survey was conducted by the Institute for Human Resources &
Organisation of FHWien University of Applied Science of WKW (A)
in cooperation with partner universities in the countries Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. Methodology: Using the
questionnaire developed by Dave Ulrich we tested whether the HR
Competency model can be used for Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia. After performing confirmatory and
exploratory factor analysis for the whole data set containing all five
countries we could clearly distinguish between four competencies. In
a further step our analysis focused on median and average
comparisons between the HR competency dimensions. Conclusion:
Our literature review, in alignment with other studies, shows a
relatively rapid pace of development of HR Roles and HR
Competencies in BCSS in the past decades. Comparing data from
BCSS and Austria we still can notice that regards strategic orientation
there is a lack in BCSS countries, thus competencies are not as
developed as in Austria. This leads us to the tentative conclusion that
HR has undergone a rapid change but is still in a State of Transition
from being a rather administrative unit to performing the role of a
strategic partner.
Abstract: In this paper, we explore the macroeconomic effects
of the European Single Market on Austria by simulating the
McKibbin-Sachs Global Model. Global interdependences and the
impact of long-run effects on short-run adjustments are taken into
account. We study the sensitivity of the results with respect to
different assumptions concerning monetary and fiscal policies for the
countries and regions of the world economy. The consequences of
different assumptions about budgetary policies in Austria are also
investigated. The simulation results are contrasted with ex-post
evaluations of the actual impact of Austria’s membership in the
Single Market. As a result, it can be concluded that the Austrian
participation in the European Single Market entails considerable
long-run gains for the Austrian economy with nearly no adverse sideeffects
on any macroeconomic target variable.
Abstract: In this study, the signal of brain electrical activities of
the sixteen students selected from the Department of Electrical and
Energy at Usak University have been recorded during a lecturer
performed happiness emotions for the first group and anger emotions
for the second group in different time while the groups were in the
classroom separately. The attention and meditation data extracted
from the recorded signals have been analyzed and evaluated toward
the teacher’s specific emotion states simultaneously. Attention levels
of students who are under influence of happiness emotions of the
lecturer have a positive trend and attention levels of students who are
under influence of anger emotions of the lecturer have a negative
trend. The meditation or mental relaxation levels of students who are
under influence of happiness emotions of the lecturer are 34.3%
higher comparing with the mental relaxation levels of students who
are under influence of anger emotions of the lecturer.
Abstract: The article describes the effect of the replacement of
the used reference coordinate system in the georeferencing of an old
map of Europe. The map was georeferenced into three types of
projection – the equal-area conic (original cartographic projection),
cylindrical Plate Carrée and cylindrical Mercator map projection. The
map was georeferenced by means of the affine and the second-order
polynomial transformation. The resulting georeferenced raster
datasets from the Plate Carrée and Mercator projection were
projected into the equal-area conic projection by means of projection
equations. The output is the comparison of drawn graphics, the
magnitude of standard deviations for individual projections and types
of transformation.
Abstract: In present global scenario, aluminum alloys are
coining the attention of many innovators as competing structural
materials for automotive and space applications. Comparing to other
challenging alloys, especially, 7xxx series aluminum alloys have
been studied seriously because of benefits such as moderate strength;
better deforming characteristics and affordable cost. It is expected
that substitution of aluminum alloys for steels will result in great
improvements in energy economy, durability and recyclability.
However, it is necessary to improve the strength and the formability
levels at low temperatures in aluminum alloys for still better
applications. Aluminum–Zinc–Magnesium with or without other
wetting agent denoted as 7XXX series alloys are medium strength
heat treatable alloys. In addition to Zn, Mg as major alloying
additions, Cu, Mn and Si are the other solute elements which
contribute for the improvement in mechanical properties by suitable
heat treatment process. Subjecting to suitable treatments like age
hardening or cold deformation assisted heat treatments; known as low
temperature thermomechanical treatments (LTMT) the challenging
properties might be incorporated. T6 is the age hardening or
precipitation hardening process with artificial aging cycle whereas T8
comprises of LTMT treatment aged artificially with X% cold
deformation. When the cold deformation is provided after solution
treatment, there is increase in hardness related properties such as
wear resistance, yield and ultimate strength, toughness with the
expense of ductility. During precipitation hardening both hardness
and strength of the samples are increasing. The hardness value may
further improve when room temperature deformation is positively
supported with age hardening known as thermomechanical treatment.
It is intended to perform heat treatment and evaluate hardness, tensile
strength, wear resistance and distribution pattern of reinforcement in
the matrix. 2 to 2.5 and 3 to 3.5 times increase in hardness is reported
in age hardening and LTMT treatments respectively as compared to
as-cast composite. There was better distribution of reinforcements in
the matrix, nearly two fold increase in strength levels and up to 5
times increase in wear resistance are also observed in the present
study.